'Crazy Bug Lady' Finds Invasive Asiatic Garden Beetles in Her Minnesota Garden

The "crazy bug lady" of Minnesota discovered invasive Asiatic garden bugs in her garden and she encourages everyone to take an interest in the insects present in their own gardens as well.

Minnesota's 'Crazy Bug Lady'

Krista Menzel, a "crazy bug lady" and citizen scientist, found proof of an invasive insect in Minnesota this summer.

She was well-equipped to identify many species, thanks to her degrees in biology and art and her large garden in St. Paul.

Menzel first saw the endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bees in her yard as a geeky summer side project.

She claimed that once someone begins gardening, they begin to appreciate beautiful flowers and other such things. They then begin photographing them after that. They begin observing the insects on the flowers after which they begin photographing them. And after a while, everything just spirals.

She eventually used that information to locate the Asiatic garden beetle, identify it on iNaturalist.com, and notify the Department of Agriculture.

The government is now requesting that all Minnesotans keep an eye out for both beetle and elm seed bugs, which is another invasive species recently reported in Minnesota.

Menzel claimed that while the Asiatic beetles are smaller, simply brown, and have a fascinating iridescent sheen, they "sort of" resemble the invasive Japanese beetles, which were first seen in Minnesota in 1968.

Last week, the public was informed of the species' discovery by the agriculture department.

Menzel, though, thought their estimate of Asiatic beetles was a little overly alarmist and cautioned Minnesotans against overusing insecticides.

She urged people to report sightings and wait for instructions instead.

Menzel, who has been using iNaturalist, emphasized paying attention to various insect species in yards. More native plants reduce chemicals, and lawns, and increase natural space, attracting more species. She urges everyone to connect with nature.

For parents, she suggests exciting kids about yard, school, or trip observations. Menzel highlights using cameras (on phones) for this advantage.

Asiatic Garden Beetle

An invasive insect called the Asiatic garden beetle feeds on more than 100 hosts, such as annuals, perennials, fruits, and vegetables.

The insect enjoys the roots of garden and ornamental plants.

Butterfly bush, dahlia, rose, aster, and chrysanthemum are among the preferred hosts. Adults consume the host plant's leaves and blossoms as food. Complete defoliation, save for the leaf midribs, is possible in cases of severe infection.

This beetle, which is indigenous to Japan and China, was first discovered in the United States in New Jersey in 1922. Several Midwestern states, such as Illinois and Indiana, as well as New England and New York, reported established populations of the invasive species.

Asiatic garden beetles are approximately 3/8 inches long, chestnut brown in color, and occasionally show a faint sheen of iridescence. The wing covers allow a small amount of the abdomen.

When the temperature rises to over 70 degrees Fahrenheit, adults emerge at night and fly vigorously.

Asian garden beetles and Japanese beetles are related, but Asian garden insects eat at night, whilst Japanese beetles fly during the day.