A Second Emergence of Japanese Beetles – Japanese Beetle Control

Share this post:

Leaf damage from Japanese Beetles will usually appear as lots of small holes in close proximity to one another

I know discussing bugs and diseases is not at the top of most people's lists, but sometimes something happens that I find fascinating. I am not sure anyone else will have the same opinion, but finding out weird things about critters like Japanese beetles that feed on lawns or landscapes can be interesting. I subscribe to several newsletters from major universities and one of them is the Ohio State Buckeye Yard and Garden Line. In the issue that came out on August 29 there was a reference to a second emergence of Japanese beetles. Normally, these voracious feeders come out in mid-to-late June and feed until early August. The article reported that there seemed to be a second hatching in late August of Japanese beetles this year. Dr. Dave Shetlar, Extension Entomologist at Ohio State, who is also known as the Bug Doc, explained that this emergence may not be an anomaly, but a possible evolutionary change. There is still a good deal of research that needs to be done on this, but I find it an interesting development. Of course, having to deal with Japanese beetle control twice each year is not a fun thing to consider. One generation is enough.