Fruit Bites for September 21 & 23 Japanese Beetles
S5E25: Japanese beetle (Sept 21 & 23, 2021)
BL: Welcome back to another “Fruit Bites” brought to you by Valent U.S.A. Back with us once again is Valent’s Allison Walston. And okay Allison, this week we’re talking about what … a new invasive pest?
AW: The Japanese beetle. They have invaded the Grandview, WA area in mass. Not only are the adults voracious eaters, feeding on over 300 plant species (including apples, grapes, berries and hops), the larval stage eats the roots of everything from trees to turf grass.
BL: What’s the best way to keep an eye out for these pests?
AW: First, do NOT buy a trap. The floral lures will attract them from miles away. If you live in the Grandview area, start by looking at roses and linden trees. If you see normal leaves suddenly look like lace, not good. For finding the larvae/white grubs, raccoons and birds will find those for you. They will start rooting up the grass to eat the grubs.
These critters are near and dear to my heart and how I got started in entomology in Kentucky. Check out the NY Times Japanese beetle article from July 7, 2021 with Dr Dan Potter from the University of Kentucky.
BL: Well, thanks Allison. Join us again next time for Fruit Bites, brought to you by Valent. Until then, I’m Bob Larson.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/07/realestate/japanese-beetles-how-to-kill.html
