The Japanese beetle is a notorious pest that poses a significant threat to an extensive range of plant species, spanning over 400 varieties within 95 plant families. This destructive beetle leaves a trail of damage from ornamental herbaceous plants and shrubs to trees, vines, small fruits, and row crops. Not confined to just above-ground foliage, the beetle grubs also pose a threat by attacking turf and the roots of various crop and ornamental plants. In this blog post, we touch on the signs of pest presence, the lifecycle of the scarab, and positive identifying traits you can use to ID this pest.
If you notice the following signs in your garden, you may be dealing with a Japanese Beetle infestation: Look out for grubs during your spring planting and treat when you find more than 10 grubs per square foot - damage will occur to turf and ornamental plants at that level. Watch for beetles that consume leaves and flowers, creating a lacy appearance on the foliage by eating the tissue between the veins. Identifying these symptoms early can help you take the necessary steps to address the infestation and protect your plants.
The beetle's life cycle usually takes one year, but it can take two years in the northern extremes of the United States. In Oklahoma, adults emerge from the soil mid-summer (June to September). After mating, the female lays eggs 2 to 6 inches deep in the soil to begin the cycle anew.
The Japanese beetle is a small insect, measuring less than half an inch long. It has a brilliant, metallic green body, striking coppery wing colors, and fine longitudinal lines. One way to identify it is by looking for five tufts of white hairs under the wing cover on each side and two patches of white hairs at the tip of the abdomen.
If you need professional treatment of this pest, please visit https://www.newell-services.com/curative-treatments/curative-treatment-of-adult-japanese-beetles
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