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E-75-W

Ornamentals & Turf

Department of Entomology

JAPANESE BEETLES IN THE URBAN LANDSCAPE

Timothy J. Gibb and Clifford S. Sadof, Extension Entomologists

Infestations of the Japanese beetle are found in before and after pesticide application has been shown
rural and urban areas throughout Indiana. This insect is to increase efficacy. Japanese beetle grubs hatch from
most damaging to lawns, trees, flowers, fruits, gardens, eggs in late July or early August. Because they are most
and in urban landscapes but may also cause economic susceptible to insecticides at this time and also because
injury to some agriculture production. feeding damage can be prevented, early August is the
critical time to have controls in place. Also remember
DESCRIPTION AND HABITS that insecticides are applied to protect the turfgrass
The Japanese beetle is about 1/2 inch long, and is from grub damage. That is why it is important to know
metallic green and bronze in color with a row of white IF grubs are present and WHAT DEVELOPMENTAL
tufts (spots) of hair on each side of its body. Adult beetles STAGE they are in at the time of application. Recent
are most active from mid-July through August. They can studies have shown that many grub control applications
feed upon more than 300 different species of plants, are wasted because grubs were never present in the first
but are especially fond of roses, grapes, smartweed, place. Apply controls only if a history of grub problems
soybeans, corn silks, flowers of all kinds, flowering crab, warrant an application or if sampling the soil indicates 5
plum and linden trees, as well as, overripe and decaying or more grubs per square foot.
fruit.
The beetle larvae (grubs) develop in lawns, turf,
and cultivated land from eggs laid by the female in mid-
summer. These grubs feed primarily on the roots of
Annual white grub
grasses and other plants. They pass the winter in the
grub stage, complete their growth the following spring
and emerge as beetles beginning in mid-June.
Adults can fly considerable distances (1-2 miles) to
feed on leafy plants or to lay eggs. In areas of heavy
infestation, the adults will attack and injure flowers and
foliage, and the grubs may seriously damage lawns and
(actual size 1/2”)
cultivated crops by feeding on the root systems.

PROTECTING LAWNS Metallic Green

Control with Insecticides. Several insecticides will
protect lawns from Japanese beetle grubs and other soil
insects (see also Extension Publication E-61) if applied Bronze
at the proper time and according to label directions
(Table 1). A rule of thumb to remember for grub control
is that the smaller the grub - the easier it is to control. White tufts of
Granules (G) can be applied with a fertilizer spreader hair
calibrated to insure even distribution. Emulsifiable
concentrates (EC, E) must first be diluted in water, then
applied as a spray. Both spray and granular applications
should be watered in for best results. Watering turf both Japanese Beetle: Popillia japonica Newman
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Table 1. Recommended Turfgrass Insecticides Irrigation also increases the effectiveness of these
applications.

Chemical Insecticides* for Type of Application PROTECTING ORNAMENTAL AND FOOD PLANTS
White Grub Control Control on ornamentals with insecticides. To protect
Bacillus popillae (Doom, Milky Alternative ornamentals against the feeding of adult Japanese
Spore) beetle, leaves should be coated with insecticide (Table
bendiocarb (Turcam, Ficam) Curative 2) during the adult flight period. Typically, this may entail
2 treatments during the peak beetle flight. Homeowners
carbaryl (Sevin) Curative
should make their first application when damage is
halofenozide (Mach II) Preventative becoming intolerable and beetles are still abundant.
imidacloprid (Merit) Preventative The need for repeated applications can be curtailed by
thiamethoxam (Meridian) Preventative inspecting plants for additional beetle damage prior to
applying a second treatment. Neem products containing
ethoprop (Mocap) Curative
Azadirachtin can be effective repellants that can reduce
parasitic nematodes (Biosafe, Alternative defoliation when applied regularly (but no more than
Exhibit) weekly) during beetle flight. Apply before defoliation
trichlorfon (Dylox, Proxol) Curative becomes intolerable.
*Always apply according to current label directions and Concentrate control efforts on trees that are
rates. susceptible to beetles (Table 3). When possible, replant
with plants that are resistant to adult feeding (Table 4).
Consult Table 5 to find crabapple varieties resistant to
Alternative Applications. Control with “Milky Japanese beetle.
Disease” Spore Dust. A specific bacterial spore dust Control on food plants with insectides. Carbaryl,
has been shown to provide limited grub control in the permethrin and malathion are safe to use on grapes
soil, provided the population level is at least one grub per and other food plants if harvest restrictions on the label
square foot. The spore dust is available in some garden are followed. Sevin is also available as a 5% dust to be
supply stores in limited quantities. It should be applied in used at the rate of 1/2 pound per 1,000 square feet.
the spring or early fall. One treatment is usually sufficient Traps. Pheromone traps have long been used to
since the bacteria that cause milky disease in the grubs monitor the activity of the Japanese beetle. The “Bag-
continues to multiply in later generations. A-Bug” trap utilizes both a pheromone and a floral scent
Keep in mind that this material is effective only on to catch both sexes of the beetle However, these traps
Japanese beetle grubs and may require several years are not recommended for beetle management because
to provide control. Maximum results may not be seen for they attract more beetles than they can control, resulting
the first 2 to 3 years after application. Its major limitation in increased plant damage. Do not put traps in or near
is that it cannot be used in combination with other grub plants that are susceptible to Japanese beetle (Tables
control products. Do not apply chemical insecticides to 3, 5).
the milky spore treated areas. Insecticides keep the
grub population too low for the spores to multiply.
Control with “Parasitic Nematodes”. Recent
developments in the use of parasitic nematodes to
Annual white grub (side)
control grubs has met with variable results. Under
and Japanese beetle
special conditions, nematodes can be effective and are
adult (bottom)
a viable, environmentally sound approach to Japanese
beetle grub control.
Preventative Applications. Preventative
applications include the use of new chemicals that
remain active in the soil for long periods of time. These
may provide excellent grub control even when applied 2
months before egg hatch (early August). However, they
are more effective the closer to the egg hatch date that
they are applied.
Curative Applications. Curative applications
are designed to control existing populations of grubs
regardless of how mature they are. Curative applications
typically have less residual in the soil than preventatives
but will kill the grubs more quickly after application.
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Table 2. Recommended Insecticides to Kill Adult Japanese Beetles on Plants

General Use Restriction

(check label)
Amount per Amount per H = Homeowner
Insecticide Formulation 100 gallons gallon C = Commercial
Acephate 75% S 1/3 lb. 1/3 tsp. H, C
(Orthene) 15.6% EC 1 1/5 cup 1 1/2 Tbsp.
Azadirachtin (Various products) Varies See label See label Works as repellant
Bifenthrin (Talstar L&T and other site 0.7 F 5.5 - 10.9 oz. 1/3 - 2/3 tsp. C
specific products
Carbaryl (Sevin and others) 4F 1 qt. 2 tsp. H, C
2F 2 qt. 4 tsp.
Cyfluthrin (Tempo, Decathalon) 20 WP 1.3 oz. - C
(Bayer Lawn & Garden) 0.75 EC - 1 Tbsp. H (Bayer)
Deltamethrin (Deltaguard (T&O) 4.75% EC 4 - 8 oz. 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. C
Fluvalinate (Mavrik) 2F 5 - 10 oz. 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. C, H
Lambda-cyhalothrin (Scimitar CS) 9.7% EC 1.5 - 5 oz. - C
Malathion 57% EC 2 - 4 pt. 2 tsp. H, C

Permethrin (Astro EC) 36.8% EC 4 - 8 oz. 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. C

Spectracide Bug Stop (Eight) 2.5% EC - 2 Tbsp. H

Table 3. Landscape Plants nearly Always Severely Attacked by

Adult Japanese Beetle1

Scientific Name Common Name

Acer palmatum Japanese maple
Acer platanoides Norway maple
Aesculus hipposastanum Horsechestnut
Atlbaca rosea Hollyhock
Betula populifolia Gray birch
Castanea dentuta American chestnut
Hibiscus syriacus Rose-of-Sharon
Shrub Althea
Juglans nigra Black walnut
Malus species Flowering crabapple, apple
Plananus acerifolia London planetree
Populus nigra italica Lombardy poplar
Prunus species Cherry, black cherry, plum, peach, etc.
Rosa species Roses
Sassafras albidum sassafras
Sorbus americana American mountain-ash
Tilia americana American linden
Ulmus americana american elm
Ulmus protera English elm
Vitis species Grape
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Courtesy of Sheiner, Townsend and Potter, University of Kentucky
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Table 4. Landscape Plants Relatively Free of Feeding by Adult Japanese Beetle1

Scientific Name Common Name

Acer negundo Boxelder*
Acer rubrum Red maple
Acer saccharinum Silver maple
Buxus sempervirens Boxwood
Carya ovata Shagbark hickory
Cornus florida Flowering dogwood
Diospyros virginiana Persimmon
Euonymus species Euonymus (all species)
Fraxinus americana White ash
Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green ash
Ilex species Holly (all species
Jaglans cinerea Butternut
Liriodendron tulipifera Tuliptree
Liquidamar styraciflua American sweetgum
Magnolia species Magnolia (all species)
Morus rubra Red mulberry
Popuus alba White poplar
Pyrus communis Common pear
Quercus alba White oak
Quercus coccinea Scrlet oak
Quercus rubra Red oak
Quercus velutina Black oak*
Sambucus canadensis American elder*
Synga vulgaris Common lilac

Most evergreen ornamentals, including Abies (fir), Juniperus, Taxus, Thuja (arborvitae),
Rhododendron, Picea (spruce), Pinus (pine) and Tsuga (hemlock) are not attacked.
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Courtesy of Sheiner, Townsend and Potter, University of Kentucky
•Unmarked species undergo little or no feeding. Species marked with an asterisk may
suffer occasional light feeding.

Table 5. Classes of Crabapples Based on their Resistance to Japanese Beetle1

Class I Class II Class III

High Resistance Moderate Resistance High Susceptibility
Ann E. Candymint Sargent Adams
Bob White David Baskatong
Brandywine Indian Summer Donald Wyman
Canar Japanese Flowering Doubloons
Candied Apple Molten Lava Indian Magic
Centurion Ormiston Roy Liset
Harvest Gold Profusion Madonna
Jack Redubd Mary Potter
Jewelberry Sinai Fire Priarie Maid
Louisa Snowdrift Robinson
Prairifire Selkirk
Red Jewel Sentinel
Sargent Sugar Tyme
Silver Moon* Velvet Pillar
silverdrift White Candle
Tea
white Angle
White Cascade
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See ID-217 for varieties resistant to both Apple scab and Japanses beetle
*Not recommended for planting because of susceptibility to fireflight

Revised 6/2005
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