Japanese Beetle Facts

While travelling through the northeastern side of United States, you will find many beautiful orchards. As you stroll through these farms, you will come across a good-looking insect with a striking metallic green thorax; head covered with earthy, reddish brown wings; and ringed abdomen with tufts of white hair. This insect is called Japanese beetle. It travelled to the country all the way from Japan in 1916, when it was accidently imported to New Jersey. Though it is quite interesting to observe, it is known to be quite destructive as well. Japanese beetles are known to damage more than 200 plant species and have left their mark on lawns, orchards, farms, nurseries, gardens and even golf courses. Whether as larva or as adults, they thrive on plants to survive. In the months of July and August, female beetles lay eggs around 1 to 2 inches deep in the soil. The young larvae or ‘grubs’ are as detrimental as adults, because they initially feed on decayed matter beneath the soil, but move on to feeding on grass roots as they grow. With the onset of spring, in the months of May and June, the grubs pupate and by mid-July, adult beetles begin to emerge. The lifespan of adults is usually 30 to 45 days through the summer season, during which they feed luxuriously. Sometimes, adult Japanese beetles consume leaves only, leaving skeletal remains behind. However, the major damage is done when they start devouring fruits. They usually feed in groups and therefore, successful consumes chunks of fruits. The favored fruit of beetles are peaches and they choose to eat them around July or early August, just a few weeks before the fruits are ready to be picked. Want to explore some more interesting facts and amazing information on the Japanese bettle? If yes, then the following lines will surely quench your thirst for knowledge.

 

Japense Beetle Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Infraorder: Scarabaeiformia
Superfamily: Scarabaeoidea
Family: Scarabaeidae
Subfamily: Rutelinae
Tribe: Anomalini
Genus: Popillia
Species: P. japonica
Group Name: Grub
Length: 1.5 cm
Lifespan: 30-45 days
Diet: Leaves, flowers, and overripe or wounded fruit
Habitat: Japan, USA, Canada
Gestation Period: 4-6 weeks
Number of Offspring: 40-60 eggs

Interesting & Amazing Information On Japanese Beetles

Note

One of the best ways to control Japanese bettles is to eliminate them manually. They can be shaken off plants and let to drown and die in a container of milk, water, and detergent. Do regular collection in the daytime, just after the morning sun has warmed the soil and just before evening, when females prepare to lay eggs. Using fertilizers and other traps is generally not advised, as they tend to destroy other synergetic insects, such as butterflies, bees, and earthworms as well.