Japanese Beetle 

Characteristics

Adult Japanese Beetles are about half an inch long. They are shiny metallic green, with coppery-brown wings, and two rows of white dots along the edge of their abdomen.

Japanese beetles begin their lifecycle in the ground as grubs, feeding on grass roots. In mid to late summer the grubs pupate into beetles and emerge from the ground. For about eight weeks they continuously eat, mate, and lay eggs. The adult beetles are most active mid-day in open sunlight, feeding on many different leaves and flowers of trees and shrubs.

Signs & Symptoms

Damage from Japanese beetles is most visible during mid to late summer. Beetles feed on the soft tissue of leaves, and leave the larger leaf veins. This produces damage that looks speckled and skeletonized. At a distance, damaged foliage can look similar to drought damage, or a sparse canopy.

Treatment & Recommendations

One of the most effective control measures for Japanese beetle is installing a pheromone trap. The trap produces a pheromone that attracts male beetles towards it. Once in the trap beetles fall into a bag and cannot escape. Traps should be installed upwind from affected trees to lure beetles away from them.

If you are interested in mitigating Japanese beetle damage call our office to schedule a meeting with one of our qualified arborists.