Adult: Shiny metallic green, oval, copper brown outer wings, about 1/2 inch long and 1/4 inch wide. Larva: White body, brown head, up to 1 inch long when full grown.
Raspberry, blackberry, beans, okra, sweet corn (foliage and silks) and asparagus.
Adults may attack foliage of raspberry, blackberry, beans, and okra, and silk and foliage of sweet corn. Larvae feed on roots of grasses and other plants.
From southern Maine southward into Georgia and westward to the Mississippi River and Iowa.
Japanese beetles overwinter in the soil as immature grubs. In early spring grubs begin feeding on grass roots until pupation in late spring. Adults begin to emerge in a few weeks and continue throughout early summer. Females lay about 40 to 60 eggs in small groups shallowly in the soil. Eggs can hatch in as little as two weeks with favorable environmental conditions. Larvae feed until temperatures fall when they burrow into the soil where they overwinter.
Japanese beetle traps can be purchased and placed 30 feet away from the plants intended for protection. It will be necessary to empty the beetles from the trap every day. Trapping for japanese beetles works best when performed on a community wide basis.
Natural enemies of the Japanese beetle include two small wasps (Tiphia sp.) and two tachnid flies (Hyperecteina aldrichi and Prosena siberita ). Moles, skunks, and birds may also eat the larvae.
Treat with a registered insecticide.
Lawn and Turf: Treat with milky disease spores (if available) to kill larvae in soil.
For Sweet Corn: Apply to silks every other day beginning at 10% silking and continuing until 90% of silks have wilted and turned brown.
Notice: Because pesticide labels can change rapidly, you should read the label directions carefully before buying and using any pesticides. Regardless of the information provided here, you should always follow the latest product label when using any pesticide. If you have any doubt, please contact your local Extension agent or pesticide dealer for the latest information on pesticide label changes.
Disclaimer: Commercial products named on this site are for informational purposes only. Virginia Cooperative Extension does not endorse these products and does not intend discrimination against other products which also may be suitable.
Prepared by Alexandra Spring and Eric Day (Modified from a publication by the USDA)