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Asian ladybug beetles

Making It Grow Radio Minute
SC Public Radio

Hello, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow. In reading about the Asian ladybug beetle, I learned that this insect will eat damaged apples, grapes, or other fruits. If this ladybug is in an orchard eating a bruised grape and gets caught up in the collection of the fruits, it can result in a ladybug wine taint. You hear about notes of cherry, apricot, or oak, but there is an apparently very unpleasant note from these insects. Apparently, the not-appreciated flavors you might taste are asparagus, peanuts, and green pepper. I’m not a picky eater and am very fond of all those supposedly unpleasant notes and probably wouldn’t have to pour the rest of the bottle down the sink. Guess I’m a gourmand and not a gourmet.

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Amanda McNulty is a Clemson University Extension Horticulture agent and the host of South Carolina ETV’s Making It Grow! gardening program. She studied horticulture at Clemson University as a non-traditional student. “I’m so fortunate that my early attempts at getting a degree got side tracked as I’m a lot better at getting dirty in the garden than practicing diplomacy!” McNulty also studied at South Carolina State University and earned a graduate degree in teaching there.