Leaf eating beetles!

[sooby77]

I know this may not be the right forum, but I think it is one of the most viewed. Something is feasting on my pepper and chrysanthemum leaves. At first I thought it was slugs, so I left eggshells around the plants to see if that works. It didn't and so I came to a conclusion that it has got to be a bug and not a worm.

So this evening, I went out with a flash light and took a peek at my pepper plant, and saw nothing. Then I checked on my mums and saw about 10 to 15 brown beetles, slightly larger and longer than a ladybug, and munching away at several of my mums. It has almost stripped the plant bare! I came in and got a hold of my pyrethin based spray and went beserk on them! I know it won't work on hard shelled beetles (they looked like it), but I sprayed them good, literally drenched them!

I don't know what they are, and can someone suggest something I can use to stop them? Strangely enough, they have left my tomato plants untouched at all. Just out of a hunch, I googled "junebug" for images and them look quite like them.

http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/youth/bug/bug075.html

Someone please help!


Soo
North Raleigh, NC

[Granny]

sooby77, google again and you should come up with articles from any number of extension services & universities that will tell you exactly what to do to stop them. I know - we have red lily beetles - invasive, nasty things. Just got done ordering the bug spray

[sooby77]

Thanks for the suggestion. I will do that. On the bright side, I noticed that my mums have started shooting out new growth, so it may survive the attack!