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Susceptible Plants
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Japanese Beetle Control in the
Grubs / Larvae Stages
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Traps for Japanese Beetle
Control |
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Organic Japanese Beetle
Controls .
Pesticides Registered for use
in Japanese Beetle Control |
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The Japanese beetle
is a highly destructive plant pest . In
its native Japan Where the beetle's natural enemies keep its populations
in check, this insect is not a serious plant pest.
In North America , however, the beetle entered without its natural
enemies and found a favorable climate and an abundant food supply.
Sounds something like Plymouth Rock...but that's another topic
altogether.
Both as adults and as grubs (the larval stage), Japanese beetles are
destructive plant pests. Adults feed on the foliage and fruits of
hundreds of species of trees, shrubs, vines, and vegetable crops. Adults
leave behind skeletonized leaves and large, irregular holes in leaves. The grubs develop in the soil, feeding on the roots of various plants
and grasses .
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The adult Japanese beetle is a little less than 1/2 inch long and has
a shiny, metallic-green body and bronze-colored outer wings. The beetle
has six small tufts of white hair along the sides and back of its body
under the edges of its wings. The males usually are slightly smaller
than the females. You are most likely to see the adults in late spring
or early summer.
As a child I recall squashing these bugs and the guts reminded me of
rice, at the time I associated rice with the orient and thought that was
why they were called Japanese Beetles ... squash one.. you'll see.
During the breeding period, females intermittently leave plants,
burrow about 3 inches into the ground--usually into turf--and lay a few
eggs. This cycle is repeated until the female lays 40 to 60 eggs.
By midsummer, the eggs hatch, and the young grubs begin to feed. This
insect spends about 10 months of the year in the ground in the larval
stage. In early spring, the grubs return to the turf and continue to
feed on roots until late spring, when
they change into pupae. In about 2
weeks, the pupae become adult beetles
and emerge from the ground. This life
cycle takes a full year.
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Traps for
Japanese Beetle Control
Several traps using a floral lure and
pheromone sex attractant are available.
These traps are effective for Japanese Beetle control under certain
conditions. The traps have been demonstrated to be effective
in reducing damage and populations only when landscapes are isolated
from other Japanese beetle populations or when mass trapping is used.
The lures used in the traps can actually multiply your
infestation of beetles by drawing them in from the surrounding area.
Your Yard or Garden could actually become "The Red-light district" for these
varmints.
Susceptible plants in the vicinity of traps
may suffer much more damage than if no traps are used at
all.
See Japanese Beetle Traps
Pesticides Registered for use in Japanese Beetle Control
Japanese Beetle control of adults can be
conducted by spraying
Susceptible plants with
insecticides. Over-the-counter pesticides available During the heavy
adult activity periods, sprays may be needed every 5 to 10 days.
Follow label directions on any given product. The
following products are registered for use by Home Gardeners
Organic
Japanese Beetle Controls
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Bioneem [Deters, does not kill Japanese Beetles]
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Azatrol
[Also based on Neem Oil extract]
Insecticidal soap, garlic oil, hot
pepper or citrus sprays are generally ineffective for
Japanese Beetle Control. Raspberries are said to deter
Japanese beetles.
Susceptible plants
should be thoroughly treated. Applications should be
repeated during the adults flight period. Follow
label directions and avoid spraying under wet or
windy conditions or when bees and other pollinators are
present in any numbers. Be sure the insecticide is
registered for use on the plant you intend to spray. For
edible plants note the number of days that must be
observed from the date of the final application till
harvest.
Japanese Beetle Control in the Grubs / Larvae Stages
Grubs are best controlled when they are small and actively feeding near
the soil surface, usually late July to mid-August. Control of grubs in
late-fall or early-spring is difficult, at best, because the grubs are
large and are generally not feeding.
Biological control includes the use of existing natural controls-enemies
of pests (predators, parasites and diseases) that already are present
Under ideal conditions, biological control has a sustainability that is
lacking in some other management options.
Insect parasitic
Nematodes for Japanese Beetle Control
Nematodes have demonstrated
to be somewhat effective in Japanese Beetle control
during the
grub stage even if you are using another Japanese beetle control such as
Milky spore, the nematodes are effective against many
other pests as well. Apply the nematodes when the white grubs are small.
Water thoroughly
before and after applying the nematodes.
Nematodes are microscopic nonsegmented
worms which occur naturally in soil all over the world.
Thousands of strains exist with different lifestyles.
Beneficial nematodes only attack soil dwelling insects
and leave plants alone. The nematodes enter the host
through body openings or by penetration of the body
wall. Once inside they release a bacterium which kills
the host within 48 hours. The nematodes continue to
reproduce and its offspring begin to seek out new host
material. Beneficial nematodes are a totally safe
biological parasitic insect control organism.
Milky Spore for Japanese Beetle Control
Milky Spore
is also effective for Japanese Beetle control during the
Grub stage. Milky Spore
is not harmful to beneficial insects, birds, bees, pets
or man. The product is approved and registered with EPA,
Milky Spore will not affect wells, ponds or streams. As
Beetle grubs burrow through the soil, feeding -they
ingest the spores . The spores germinate inside the
grubs, and multiply rapidly in their blood. When the
bacteria become very numerous in the blood they again
form spores, completing the bacterial cycle. Infected
grubs survive for 7-21 after their blood has become
loaded with spores, particularly in low temperatures. As
the grub carcass decomposes, it releases billions of new
spores.
Diatomaceous can also help Japanese Beetle
populations to a minimum, and is also effective against
many other pests.
Susceptible
Plants
Many varieties of Trees,
Shrubs and plants are susceptible to Japanese Beetle
attacks. This list contains their favored meals
Grape
Fruit Trees -Cherry, Plum ,Peach, Apple,
Crab apple
Japanese maple
Norway maple
Horsechestnut
Hollyhock
American chestnut
Black walnut
Poplar
Roses
Sassafras
American mountain ash
Linden Trees
Elm Trees
