Updated on February 1, 2019 by Keith Critchley
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Japanese Beetles first appeared in North America in 1916 on the East Coast and are now an annual problem east of the Mississippi River. They damage valuable landscape plants by feeding on the leaf tissue and some flowers/fruit. Favorite ornamental landscape plants include:
- Linden
- Purple-leaf Plum
- Cherry
- Birch
- Crabapple
- Rose and many others
It is important to note that while Japanese Beetle pheromone traps have become quite poplar, studies show that they actually attract MORE beetles to your landscape. If you still choose to use them, place them as far from your landscape plants as possible!
Photo Credit: The Sacramento Bee
The annual Japanese Beetle lifecycle begins and ends in July with the majority of foliar damage occurring at this time. The adults emerge and feed heavily, mating and laying eggs before dying. It is in August and early September that the new larval stage feeds heavily on the roots of ornamental turf grass. Open, sunny lawns are often susceptible to major damage. While the adult beetle has few natural predators, the grubs often provide food for Skunks, Raccoons and birds. It is best to employ a two-pronged approach to minimizing damage from this invasive pest targeting both the adult beetle and grub (larval) stage. Grubs hibernate below the frost line over winter and return to mature into the next years beetles.
For more information on how LANG’S LAWN AND TREE CARE can help protect your valuable landscape, just reach out for a FREE consultation and estimate!
