Japanese Beetle
Photo Courtesy of Clemson University
The Japanese beetle is a serious pest to over 300 plants and crops including raspberries, corn, peas, peppers, tomatoes, corn, and strawberries. This beetle can be recognized by its oval shape, metallic green coloring, and copper wings. It spends it’s larval state feeding on the roots of grass and can do significant damage to lawns as a result. During this time in it’s life it is fairly susceptible to various nematodes and a commercially sold powder which spreads a bacterium called milky spore. During their adult life they are most readily controlled by kaolin sprays made from a type of clay that when sprayed directly onto the crops irritates the mouths of the beetle and deter them from snacking. Similarly, soap and water mixtures applied directly onto the plants can stop damage. Finally, natural predators like the meadowlark and cardinal, are helpful at controlling populations, though are rare in urban settings.
