Introduction
Japanese beetles are a common pest in North America. They were introduced to the continent in the early 1900s and have since spread throughout the eastern and central parts of the United States. These beetles are known for their voracious appetite and can cause significant damage to plants and crops.
What Do Japanese Beetles Eat?
Japanese beetles will eat just about anything. They are not picky eaters and will consume any plant matter that they can get their jaws on. However, there are some plants that Japanese beetles prefer over others.
Fruits and Vegetables
Japanese beetles love fruits and vegetables. They are particularly fond of berries, grapes, and tomatoes. They will also eat corn, asparagus, and beans. If you have a vegetable garden, you may need to take steps to protect your plants from these pests.Roses
Japanese beetles are notorious for their love of roses. They will eat the leaves, flowers, and buds of rose bushes. This can result in significant damage to the plant and can even kill it if the infestation is severe enough.Trees and Shrubs
Japanese beetles will eat the leaves of trees and shrubs, including maple, birch, and elm trees. They are also known to feed on fruit trees such as apple and cherry trees. If you have trees or shrubs on your property, you may need to take steps to protect them from Japanese beetles.Ornamental Plants
Japanese beetles will eat a wide variety of ornamental plants, including petunias, marigolds, and impatiens. They can also damage plants that are used for landscaping, such as arborvitae and boxwood.
Preventing Japanese Beetle Damage
If you want to prevent Japanese beetle damage to your plants, there are a few things you can do. First, you can use insecticides to kill the beetles. However, this can be harmful to beneficial insects and birds, so it should only be used as a last resort.
Another option is to use traps to capture the beetles. These traps use a pheromone to attract the beetles, which are then trapped inside. However, these traps can also attract more beetles to your property, so use them with caution.
You can also use physical barriers to protect your plants. Covering your plants with netting or row covers can prevent the beetles from getting to them.
Finally, you can plant plants that are less attractive to Japanese beetles. Some plants that are less attractive to these pests include lavender, catmint, and salvia.
Conclusion
Japanese beetles are a common pest that can cause significant damage to plants and crops. They will eat just about anything, but have a particular fondness for fruits, vegetables, roses, trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants. If you want to prevent Japanese beetle damage to your plants, you can use insecticides, traps, physical barriers, or plant plants that are less attractive to these pests.