An adult rose chafer will not get lost in a flower pot. From April to September it flies to various flowers and feeds on flower juices and pollen. Its larva, which develops hidden in the ground, is different. However, it has no place in a flowerpot.

Rose chafers are a wonderful beneficial in compost, but not in flower pots

The rose beetle

The beautiful, shiny metallic beetle belongs to the scarab beetles and is a protected beetle species. Its larva is a beneficial organism that contributes to the formation of humus in the compost heap.
They grow about one to two centimeters long and are easily recognized by their greenish to golden, highly shiny, thick body. Even when flying, its compact body is unmistakable, as it does not spread its iridescent elytra, but instead pushes thin hindwings out from under them.
Its thick, whitish larvae grow up to five centimeters in size. They live in the ground for a long time (about two years) without causing any damage to plants. The opposite is true as it contributes to the formation of humus in the compost heap and consumes dead plant matter.

Rose chafer in the flower pot

If a flower no longer thrives in its pot, the rose chafer grubs can be to blame. Normally, the thick larvae do no harm. However, when they are locked in the flower pot, they lack food and therefore attack the tender roots of the potted plant. Since rose chafers are protected, you should not kill their larvae, just drive them away. The easiest way is to collect the larvae from the soil and relocate them. You have two options for this:

  1. Take your potted plant and place it in a container of water.
  2. Allow plenty of water to penetrate the soil.
  3. The flooding will drive the larvae out of the ground.
  4. Collect the animals and place them carefully in your compost heap or on a rotted log.
  5. Allow the flower to dry out well over the next few days.

Flooding is usually not possible with large planters. However, you can repot the plant.

  1. Carefully remove the plant from the pot.
  2. Gradually remove all soil.
  3. Shake out the roots well.
  4. Sieve the soil to bring out all the grubs.
  5. Collect the animals and move them to a suitable place.

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Garden design