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Japanese/Oriental/Asiatic beetles?

linda_schreiber

16 years ago

In the 1960s, as a little kid in Ohio, we had problems with Japanese beetles in the garden. I clearly remember what they looked like, and how they acted. Have seen them only occasionally and off-and-on since.

I have lived in SE Michigan for the last couple of decades. In the last few days, I've seen an infestation of beetles that look and act just like the ones I remember of old, but the color is wrong. No blue-green irridescence. Just bronze. But all the behavior is the same..... When I searched 'Japanese Beetles', I found

http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef409.asp

and the picture there is identical to what I am seeing. But again, the color is not what I remember.

I also run across references to oriental beetles and asiatic beetles....... Does anyone know the specifics here? I always like to ID the thing I'm potentially battling .

The weedy wild grape leaves are skeletonized, which would be fine with me if only the vines died off as well........ But they have started decimating the Joe-Pye Weed and the Morning Glory, and there are indications that they are working on some other planted things.

I suspect that I need to deal with them as if they were the 'Japanese Beetles' I knew of old. But are these the same critters, or cousins of those critters? Just curious.

Linda

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Comments (4)

Kimmsr
16 years ago
Rose Chafers act somewhat similar to the Japanese Beetles and control measures are similar.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rose Chafers
Happy2BeeME
15 years ago
Thank you so much for the information. I have spent 3 days trying to figure out what I have been finding on my roses.

Those are the little buggers!

Great! :( now I not only have JB but these too!
Do you suppose the grape vines are attracting these to the yard or are keeping most of them on the grapes vs the roses?

Karyn
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About 3-4 years ago I applied Milky Spore. It takes a few years before it has ultimate impact. Last year I had a lot more beetles that completely defoliated Polygonum amplexicaule 'Firetail'. The crape myrtles sited in afternoon sun were also hit hard. I haven't seen Japanese beetles on these plants this year. There were quite a few beetles on Rosa glauca and a hanging basket of New Guinea Impatiens in previous weeks. From what I've heard, there is some sort of trail left behind so beetles re-visit the same spots. Each day I picked off and crushed the beetles which were subsequently eaten by the catbirds. For about one week I've not seen any Japanese beetles in my garden. While visiting a garden in Lancaster County, I was told by the owner that Virginia creeper kept the beetles out of her garden. That vine was severely eaten and was growing on the side of the barn, far enough away from her perennial beds.
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linda_schreiber
Original Author
15 years ago
I don't know that anything attracts them other than that they emerge nearby, and there are some sort of leaves to eat. They do have preferences. Don't we all. The good news is that last year, at least here, the flood of damage was short in time, and mostly limited to three or four species. Yes, I panicked too early [grins]. They spent more than a week and less than three weeks eating wild grape leaves, Joe-Pye weed, Touch-me-not, and morning glories. They also liked the ground-cherries. Nothing died. Just looked scruffy for a while. Re roses, I only have wilds, shrubs, climbers, etc. My roses were touched only lightly. None died.

Hopefully, this year will also be mildish. But it's not July yet. I should have thanked kimmrs almost a year ago.... My bugs looked different from what was sent, and I got involved in trying to track variations down. Never sent a thanks.

A late...... thanks!
LindaS
schoolhouse_gw
15 years ago
Just posted on the perennial forum - thought I'd check in here to see what others have reported. Found ONE JB (Jap.Beetle) on the shrub rose in the orchard this morning! Getting myself prepared for war. I'm in southeast ohio - hope this year is as others hope - not as terrible as last year.

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