Q: When turning my compost pile, I uncovered a number of big, fat grubs. They were about the size of my thumb! Are they harmful? A: These are most likely the larvae of fig beetles (Cotinis mutabilis).

Pest damage on our beautiful rose blooms rankles deeply, but it motivates us to take the appropriate actions to put the culprits to rest. Two types of pest beetles are annual regulars in our San Diego ...

Q: Our fig tree fruit is covered with green fig beetles and a nearby grape vine is being destroyed as they try to get to the residual grapes that are still there. Can you suggest a nontoxic way to get ...

Pest damage on our beautiful rose blooms rankles deeply, but it motivates us to take the appropriate actions to put the culprits to rest. There are two pest beetles that are annual “regulars” in our ...

After writing about the fig beetle – a shiny green scarab beetle that feeds on overripe fruit and decomposing organic matter – I received the following email from Elizabeth Russell, who gardens in ...

Q: My grape arbors are full of these bugs — hundreds of them eating my figs and grapes. I’ve never seen anything like this before. I shake the grape arbors and swarms fly out. Is there something we ...