5-8 IAT Japanese Beetle

 Japanese beetles are coming.

 I had a recent chat with Jodie Ellis, entomologist with the Idaho State Dept. of Agriculture. “  this summer is going to be the year of the Japanese beetle.  That is one of the insects that we found last year during our routine surveys and it is one that shows many more in the Boise area than we wanted. That is the 1st time that has happened. I grew up with Japanese beetles attacking my parents grapes. What else is subject to their wrath? 2 things are going on. The larva feed on turf. They eat from the bottom up and get the roots. Then the adults who have emerged and are flying around are going to go after, just as you said, grapes, but they eat over 300 kinds of plant species. That includes all kinds of berries, trees such as Apple and peach and they will also attack corn.”