- Japanese beetles are shiny, metallic green with copper colored wing covers. These beetles measure 1/2 inch in length and have white patches of hairs on their sides. Females lay their eggs near host trees, which hatch into white grubs that feed on the roots of infested trees. Mature grubs measure 1 inch in length. Damage to fruit trees is caused by both the adult beetle form and the larval form.
- According to the University of Kentucky, Japanese beetles have a host range of over 300 plants. Members of the Prunus species are favored hosts of these pests, including peach, plum, cherry and black cherry. Several members of the Malus species such as flowering crabapple and apple trees are also commonly damaged by Japanese beetles feeding. Common pear and persimmon are rarely damaged by Japanese beetles, making them a better choice than fruit trees attacked more frequently.
- Japanese beetles typically begin feeding at the top of the tree and are most active during bright sunny days. Fruit trees damaged by Japanese beetles have leaves that have been chewed between leaf veins, causing leaves to appear skeletonized. Trees may also appear scorched and flowers, fruit and leaves are often entirely consumed. Japanese beetles often favor fruit trees for the over-ripe or wounded fruit they find near host trees.
- Remove adult beetles from your fruit trees by hand-picking them from the tree and placing them in a bucket of soapy water to kill them. Japanese beetles are sluggish during the early morning hours, making just after dawn the best time to capture them. Insecticides such as esfenvalerate or bifenthrin are often effective in controlling Japanese beetles. According to the University of Kentucky, pheromone traps are not recommended as they bring a high number of beetles into the area resulting in more plant damage.
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