Entomology
Japanese beetles are distinctive beetles measuring about 13mm in length. Their key features include:
- Metallic green head and thorax
- Copper-brown wing covers
- Five white hair patches along each side of abdomen
- Club-shaped antennae
- Oval-shaped body
- Six white tufts of hair near rear of body
Reproduction Cycle
Aphids have a complex life cycle that can include both sexual and asexual reproduction:
- Eggs: Eggs are laid in the middle of summer and will hatch in 2 to 3 weeks
- Larva: Larva will hiberate over winter and eat away at roots molting several time over this process
- Pupa: Typically lasting 2 to 3 weeks they will begint to emerge in around June
- Adults: typically lasting only 2 moths they can lay over 40 to 60 eggs
Social Aspects
Japanese beetles are a higly social beetles using phermone to communicate with each other. Their social behaviors include:
- Release of phomones marking food sources
- Feeding in large numbers resulting in heavy crops damage
- Both males and female will seek multiple partners
- Post copulation gaurding
Treatment Options
- Hand picking and drowing in soapy water
- Pyrethrin-based sprays
- Phermone based beetle traps
- Use neem oil
- Bacillus thuringiensis galleriae (Btg) bacteria
