Japanese beetle up close. Photo courtesy of purdue.edu
About Japanese Beetles
The Japanese beetle is an invasive insect introduced to the United States in 1916. It is found primarily east of the Mississippi river but there are isolated pockets in more western states. The adult is 8-10 mm long, with a shiny green metallic thorax and copper/bronze colored wings. It will feed on a variety of trees, including maple, linden, apple, crabapple, pin oak, birch, plum and cherry among others. The adult beetle “skeletonizes” the leaf, consuming the tender leaf tissue and leaving the veins behind, causing the leaf to have a lace-like appearance. The best evidence for Japanese beetle infestation is the presence of the beetle itself.
Host Trees for Japanese Beetles
Maple, Birch, Citrus, Walnut, Apple, Poplar, Oak, Sassafrass, Linden, Elm.
Treatments for Japanese Beetles
Trees with Japanese Beetle can be treated with: ACE-jet or AzaSol.
Learn More About Common Tree Pests & Treatments
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