These beetles don’t just ruin trees; they ruin wine. Literally. They swarm grapevines and cause vineyards to lose crops, which means your Pinot Noir might taste like regret. The US Department of Agriculture has declared war on them, but the beetles are fighting back with sheer numbers and terrible taste in music.
Here’s a surprising fact: they’re a “honeypot” for other insects. The sticky goo they excrete attracts bees, wasps, and ants—creating a tiny, chaotic nightclub on your backyard fence. If you see a crowd of bugs arguing over a puddle of beetle pee, you’ve found ground zero.
Black Beetle With White Eye Spots at Nell Velez blog
Authorities have begged people to squish them on sight. There are even “squish challenges” on social media where people stomp them in slow motion. It’s the most participated sport you’ve never heard of—competitive beetle squishing.
