<center>This is my entry for the ZapFic Contest to write a story using 240 characters or less using the prompt: pest.</center>

<center>https://i.postimg.cc/d0fgVcTy/beetmate-1.jpg</center>
<center>*Photo by me @whatisnew*</center>

<center>The Japanese beetle destruction ended with a duel.  The gardener armed with soapy water sprayed the armored beetles who met their downfall as they slid off the leaf and fell to their death.  The pests were decimated without a single wound.</center>

<center>***#zapfic by @felt.buzz***</center>