I wrote about Japanese beetles once before–the first time I saw one and didn’t know what it was. Here’s that post–it’s called beyond the lamppost–a story of a beetle and a burner
Well, now I know what they are–and that they can cause a lot of damage. And so, I wrote a poem about them–another bug-ku.
Another Poetry Friday Bug-ku
It’s Friday, and the job I thought I’d start today won’t be coming in until Monday, so I spent the day packing and taking apart canvases that I painted that are too big to fit in boxes. Not really fun.
But Poetry Friday is fun! And today’s host is Writing the World for Kids. Check out Laura’s blog to see what she’s up to and what other Poetry Friday participants are up to, as well. And join in, if you want!
Japanese beetles bug-ku
I have fallen in love with haiku. Seventeen syllables–that’s what you get and it’s fun to see how much those few syllables can hold. For sure they’re big enough for a little bug!
Here’s my bug-ku for today:
Japanese beetle
did you travel ‘cross the sea
to eat my roses?
Susan Bruck
Not so fun facts about Japanese beetles
Did you know that Japanese beetles excrete a pheromone when they find something yummy to eat–it’s a way to invite their friends to join the feast.
When I looked for fun facts, all I found was how destructive they are–they eat all sorts of leaves, flowers, fruits, even grass.
They are native to Japan, but were first found in the US about 100 years ago.
And they are pretty.
And I’m tired–so I’m keeping it short–like a beetle–today.
But I do thank you for stopping by.
And I hope no one eats your roses–but candied rose petals are yummy (for people, but probably not for beetles!)
Come back soon!
xoxo
LOL! Short & simple is fun. Those Japanese beetles….I have such memories of them in the raspberry patch. I’d have a bucket over my arm, picking berries and there would be all these beetles. I’m sorry to say I didn’t find them anything but a nuisance. If I crossed the sea….what would I eat up entirely?
We had a raspberry patch in our backyard–just a small one. But happily, there were no beetles out there–just thorns–so I got to eat all the berries myself (I think I shared them with my family!)
Goodness! I have never seen one of these in my part of Texas. I enjoyed reading all the facts you included, along with your bug-ku!
Thanks, Keisha. I never saw them around here until a couple years ago. It’s probably a good thing that you don’t have them around you!
I love rose tea and imagine that I would like candied rose petals! My parents have had quite a time getting rid of Japanese beetles on their plants. One year they removed about a thousand? Ugh.
Oh, my, your poor parents!–I haven’t seen that many around here, thank goodness. That sounds like a lot of unpleasant work! Candied rose petals are delicious and beautiful, too. Rose tea is lovely–I haven’t had that for a while, but I think I’ll track some down.
Susan, I enjoyed reading your bug-ku and reading the facts about them. I headed over to Wonderopolis (wonderopolis.org) to find out some more but all I found was at https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/are-insects-edible-Are Insects Edible. It does say that beetles are. I am not sure I could care for eating insects.
Oh, my! I’m not sure I would enjoy eating them either! But it’s good to know should I ever be in the mood (not likely, though!) Thanks for sharing the link to wonderopolis–I was not familiar with it.
I like poems of address, and I really enjoy the childlike voice of your poem. It holds wonder very neatly!
Thank you, Laura!
I stopped by to read your bug-ku, as I write them, too. I was not disappointed. I wrote one about the same little hungry beetle here: https://friendlyfairytales.com/2014/08/14/ode-to-a-japanese-beetle/
I enjoyed reading your ode to a japanese beetle. Thanks for letting me know about it!
[…] nature. I’ve written picture book stories about bugs, and bug-kus–even one about the Japanese beetle. Driving home from school for the last time for the foreseeable future, I happened to hear this […]