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University of Illinois Extension serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell Counties

Main Office (Tazewell County)
1505 Valle Vista
Pekin, IL 61554
Phone: 309-347-6614
FAX: 309-347-5472
Email:uie-fmpt@illinois.edu
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm (Closed 12 - 1pm)

Branch Office (Fulton County)
15411 N IL 100 Highway
Lewistown, IL 61542
Phone: 309-547-3711
FAX: 309-547-3713
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm (Closed 12 - 1pm)

Branch Office (Mason County)
133 S High, Box 170
Havana, IL 62644
Phone: 309-543-3308
FAX: 309-543-6239
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm (Closed 12 - 1pm)

Branch Office (Peoria County)
4810 North Sheridan
Peoria, IL 61614
Phone: 309-685-3140
FAX: 309-685-3397
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm (Closed 12 - 1pm)

News Release

Japanese Beetle Myth Information

June 18, 2012

Invasion of the Japanese Beetles – it sounds like a horror movie title, but is reality for most people living in central Illinois. Japanese beetle adults are present in high numbers and devouring leaves for about 6 weeks from mid-June into August. After mating and feeding, females lay eggs in moist, actively growing lawns. Eggs hatch into large "C" shaped grubs that feed on plant roots. In fall grubs burrow into soil. Next year they form adults and start the vicious cycle again.

Rhonda Ferree, Horticulture Educator with University of Illinois Extension, reports that her nine extension offices are receiving numerous calls about this pest. Based on those calls, Rhonda shares answers from fellow horticulture educator Sandy Mason to some frequently shared myths about Japanese beetles.

Myth #1: Japanese beetles will go away in a few years.

As with all insects their populations cycle from high to low numbers. It is doubtful they will ever completely go away. Weather conditions such as cold winters and dry falls more than likely determine the cycles. The eggs and young grubs can be killed in dry soils. Therefore stopping or reducing irrigation during July can result in fewer grubs as long as there is little rain. At least it's one good thing about drought.

Myth #2: Control the grubs and you will not have Japanese beetle adults.

Unfortunately controlling Japanese beetle grubs does not significantly reduce the number of adult beetles in your yard the following year. The beetles are good fliers and easily fly a couple miles in a single flight. They may travel 10 to 15 miles from where they lived as grubs.

Myth #3: Milky spore will control Japanese beetle grubs.

Yes and no. Many variables are involved with bacterial milky spore. It has been effective in some areas and not in others which may be due to soil conditions, product variability, or grub resistance. It can take 2-3 years for spores to build up in soil. Milky spore is only effective against Japanese beetle grubs and does not kill other turf damaging grubs.

Myth #4: Japanese beetle traps are effective controls.

Japanese beetle traps do an excellent job of attracting, but not a good enough job at trapping. The majority of beetles are attracted but not caught in the traps according to research at the University of Kentucky. Therefore plants can suffer more damage with traps than if no traps are used at all if the plants live along the beetles' flight path or around the traps.

Myth #5: My tree will die if the beetles eat all its leaves.

Woody plants can tolerate some feeding and many will releaf once the beetles are gone. Woody trees and shrubs usually can tolerate three years of significant feeding before showing visible signs of decline.

Rhonda Ferree and Matt Montgomery, Local Foods and Small Farms Educator, developed a website with Japanese beetle information for homeowners and agricultural producers. Go to http://web.extension.illinois.edu/fmpt and click on the Japanese Beetle News link in the lower right column. You can post questions there or on Rhonda's facebook page at www.facebook.com/ferree.horticulture.

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Adapted from article by Sandra Mason, Extension Educator, Horticulture, slmason@illinois.edu

Source: Rhonda J. Ferree, Extension Educator, Horticulture, ferreer@illinois.edu