Japanese Beetles - help plz

[finnie]

Hi all. I could use a bit of help here. My beardie just had a huge feast of Japanese Beetles. Not sure how many he ate - but I'm sure it was over 5 - I had to pull him away from the plant that was covered with them. Can anyone tell me if these are toxic to Beardies? (please don't tell me I'm a bad mom - he ran so fast! - and I already feel terrible) Thanks.

 

[TheWerewolf]

I say he'll be fine. Of course the things you need to always watch for is pesticides and parasites. But in a toxic status I think he'll be fine. Dragons are incredibly hardy. Just don't let him get into them again. I know that may be hard, because my Nim had another bird fluff. I tried to stop him but they can be fast when they want something. I do not blame you for your dragon getting into the beetles. Keep an eye on his poop for signs of parasites and other things like that. Other than that he'll probably be fine!

 

[finnie]

Thanks for your reply. I've been watching him since it happened - he seems pretty pleased with himself! Sitting in the grass, with a very happy colour - staring at that plant. I won't let this happen again. These beetles are so bad here in Ontario this year - they move from one plant in my yard to another- till they've eaten it bald! I read somewhere that Japanese Beetles are nasty tasting - guess not! Thanks!

 

[bunnyrut]

Nothing i found online says anything about them being toxic. just that they taste nasty (how do they know this?!?).
also "The fact that they have almost no natural predators in America." I guess they have ONE predator...

the pesticides would be the main concern, just check on your beardie. they also have very hard shells, so if your beardie isn't a full grown adult i would watch for impaction.

and anyone who has a bearded dragon can attest to how fast they can be. Mr Dargon has gotten pill bugs and ants before I could even react. Luckily i have stopped him from eating the wasp...
don't you love how they then look at you like they've done nothing wrong?

 

[TheWerewolf]

don't you love how they then look at you like they've done nothing wrong?

Yeah, when Nim ate that fluff I yelled at him and he just looked at me like, "what's your problem?" :lol:

 

[PonchoandDaddy]

I tried to look online for you too. Nothing about them being toxic. As a precaution, id give an extra long soak and extra fluids to help him pass them. You aren't a bad mommy. You are human. Things happen, you are doing an amazing job. They are very fast and very sneaky. How's he doing?

I do know that lightening bugs are incredibly toxic. 1 is enough to be fatal. We have so many of them here. They hide in the grass until it gets dark. I won't let Poncho down because of it.

 

[finnie]

Thanks everybody for your input about these bugs. Kracken is happy and healthy. I gave him a few good soakings since the incident, and he's just fine - no impaction problems. He did look at me like I was insane when I pulled him away from the beetles! Like he could totally fix this whole beetle overpopulation problem we're having! Poor guy. Oh, he's over a year old now - and a really good size for his age. Thanks again everybody!