Count down to Expo!

       The Japanese Beetle was first discovered in CT in Stamford on September 1, 1926.  It is considered an invasive garden pest, and is prevalent all across CT.  This beetle has a metallic green outer shell with copper colored wings.  It can be identified by its eating habits, symptoms of which include skeletonizing outdoors plants.  They are also easy to observe as they eat plants, as they constantly fly from one plant to another.  The beetle feeds on a wide variety of plants and crops while the larvae or grubs, and will feed on a variety of roots of ornamental trees, shrubs, garden plants and grass.  It is estimated this beetle can eat over 300 plant species.

        The life cycle of the Japanese Beetles consists of four stages of development called complete metamorphosis (stages include egg, larva, pupa and adult).  Eggs are laid in the soil about 2-4 inches down where they can absorb moisture and become roundish.  The pupae are cream to reddish brown in color and are ½ inch wide.  Once the adult stage is reached in the early part of the summer months, they leave the ground and immediately begin to look for plants to feed on.  Adult insects release pheromones: pheromones are chemical substances that are released by insects or other organisms into the environment to communicate with others of the same species.  

        Eggs are laid by the female in short burrows they dig in the soil.  Approximately 40 to 60 eggs are laid in each female's life span.  The larvae, called grubs, feed on roots in the soil and will pass the winter in a dormant state.  Control of the grub or larval stage requires properly timed applications of a soil insecticide to infested areas.  Mechanical controls are applied through the use of traps with pheromone lures; however this will not correct any issues with grub infestations and can attract more beetles to the area.

        During the summer months Japanese Beetles emerge from the ground and start to feed on plants and rose gardens. A very common natural practice to get rid of these pest is too fill a buck half way up with water and then add soap to the bucket. From their pick off the Japanese beetles and place them in the bucket. After you place them in the bucket they will start to die and decompose. Once they do this they will give a scent to ward off other beetles from attacking and destroying that plant.