On the watch for Japanese beetles
CHRISTIE SCHLUETER
This is the time of year for pests. This pest
in particular is one to watch out for, and here is
information from the University of Minnesota on
these annual and very invasive species.
For more about this pest go to https://extension.
umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/japanese-
beetles.
Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) were fi rst
found in the United States in 1916, after being
accidentally introduced into New Jersey. Until
that time, this insect was restricted to Japan where
it is not a major pest. This pest is considered to
be an invasive species. It is now found throughout
the eastern U.S., except for Florida, and continues
to move westward.
Japanese beetles were fi rst discovered in
Minnesota in 1968. At fi rst, only a few beetles
were found. By 2001, they occurred in much
higher numbers. In one year, the Minnesota
Department of Agriculture (MDA) trapped more
than one million beetles. Since then, Japanese
beetle numbers have fl uctuated from year to
year.
• Japanese beetles feed on the leaves, fl owers,
or fruit of more than 300 species of plants.
• Japanese beetle grubs are pests of turfgrass.
They chew grass roots, causing the turf to brown
and die. Grub-damaged turf pulls up easily from
the soil, like a loose carpet.
• Japanese beetle infestations in Minnesota are
mostly found in the Twin Cities metropolitan area
and southeast region of the state.
• There are both nonchemical and insecticide
options for managing
Japanese beetle adults
and grubs.
Japanese beetles are a
serious pest of fl owers,
trees and shrubs, fruits
and vegetables, fi eld
crops and turf. Adults
feed on more than 300
plant species, whereas
the grubs feed mainly on
the roots of grasses.
Adult Japanese beetles
feed on the leaves,
fl owers and fruits of
many different plants.
Preferred plants include
rose, grape, linden, apple,
crabapple, cherry, plum
and related trees, birch,
elm, raspberry, currant,
basil, Virginia creeper,
hollyhock,
marigold,
corn silks and soybean.
They skeletonize leaves by feeding on tissue
between the major veins giving them a lace-like
appearance. Damaged leaves turn brown and
may fall off.
Healthy, mature trees and shrubs can tolerate
a lot of feeding without signifi cant, long-term
injury.
Young or unhealthy plants may be stunted,
injured or even killed from severe, persistent
feeding.
Healthy fl owering plants such as roses can
survive Japanese beetle feeding. But the blossoms
are often ruined by the insects.
Fruits, vegetables and herbs can tolerate limited
leaf feeding, but severe damage may affect plant
growth and reduce yield.
Regular harvesting during July and August can
decrease feeding on edible parts of the plant.
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