Japanese beetles are a common sight in the United States, and they can be a real nuisance. They are attracted to light, so they often congregate around porch lights and other sources of illumination. In addition to being a nuisance, they can also be harmful to plants.
Where Do Japanese Beetles Go At Night?
Each night, as the sun sets, homeowners around the country are greeted by the telltale sign of a Japanese beetle infestation: hundreds of small holes in their perfectly manicured lawns.
But where do these pests go when they’re not chomping on your roses? Do they simply burrow into the ground and wait out the day? Or do they venture off in search of other meals? Let’s take a closer look.
Japanese Beetles’ Daytime diet
As their name implies, Japanese beetles ( Popillia japonica) are natives of Japan. In their home country, these beetles live in symbiosis with certain types of wasps that parasitize them.
This predator-prey relationship keeps their population in check, but since they have no such enemies in North America, they’re free to feast to their heart’s content—and boy, do they feast! An adult Japanese beetle can consume up to six times its own body weight in plants every day. Some of their favorite snacks include roses, grapes, berries, beans, and corn.
While it’s certainly annoying to find your lawn dotted with holes each morning, at least you can take solace in knowing that the Japanese beetles causing the damage are probably just taking a well-deserved nap.
These fascinating creatures play an important role in many ecosystems around the world, so it’s important to learn as much about them as we can. Who knows? You might even come to appreciate them…in moderation, of course.
Japanese Beetles’ Nighttime habits
Japanese beetles are a species of scarab beetle. The adults are shiny metallic green and bronze, while the larvae are white grubs with brown heads. Approximately 1/2-inch long, adult Japanese beetles spend their days feeding on the foliage and flowers of more than 300 different types of plants. At night, they mate and lay eggs in the soil.
The vast majority of beetle species are nocturnal, which means they’re most active at night. There are a few reasons for this. For one, it’s cooler at night, so beetles can avoid the heat of the day. Additionally, there are fewer predators active at night, so beetles are less likely to be eaten.
Additionally, many beetle species use light as a cue for mating. Many male beetles will use light (whether from the moon or artificial sources) to find females with whom to mate.
Finally, many nocturnal species have evolved specialized organs that allow them to see in the dark. These eyes usually have large numbers of photoreceptors, which give them superior night vision.
The Japanese beetle is no exception to this rule; they too are most active at night. If you’ve ever wondered why you only see them when you turn on your porch light or headlights, now you know!
While you might only see them when you turn on a light at night, Japanese Beetles are actually quite interesting creatures!
They’re one of many beetle species that are nocturnal by nature and use light as a cue for mating season.
So next time you spot one on your porch light or car headlights, take a moment to appreciate these six-legged creatures and all they do for us!
What are Japanese beetles and what do they look like
Many gardeners and farmers have likely heard of Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica), but few actually know what they look like. These pests are small—about ¼-inch long—and have a shiny, metallic green body with brown patches on their wing covers. The adults are strong fliers and are often seen in groups feeding on the leaves of trees or plants. Keep reading to learn more about Japanese beetles and how to control them.
Identification
In addition to their size and coloring, Japanese beetle adults can be identified by the characteristic V-shaped pattern they leave behind on leaves as they feed.
The larvae, or grubs, of these beetles, are small, white, C-shaped grubs that tunnel underground and feed on plant roots. If you suspect you have a Japanese beetle infestation, look for adult beetles flying around or damaging your plants or grubs in the soil.
Habitat and Life Cycle
Japanese beetles are native to Japan but were accidentally introduced to North America in 1916. They have since spread throughout the eastern United States and can now be found as far west as Nebraska and South Dakota.
Adult Japanese beetles emerge from hibernation in late-May or early-June and begin feeding on the leaves of host plants.
In just a few short weeks, the females lay eggs in the soil near host plants, where the larvae will hatch and begin feeding on plant roots until fall when they burrow deeper into the soil to overwinter. Adults will then emerge the following spring to mate and begin the cycle anew.
Control Methods
The best way to control a Japanese beetle infestation is to prevent them from ever reaching your property in the first place. If you live in an area where these pests are present, inspect your clothing and any outdoor gear before coming inside as adults can hitchhike into new areas this way.
Unfortunately, once Japanese beetles are present in an area it is very difficult to get rid of them. However, there are some management practices you can use to reduce damage caused by these pests:
• Handpick adults from plants and drop them into a bucket of soapy water;
• Userow covers or traps baited with pheromones to capture adults;
• Trench around planting beds and cover with fine mesh screen to prevent adults from getting in;
• Try Nematodes—tiny parasitic worms that kill grubs—or milky spore powder—a bacteria that infects and kills grubs;
• Apply insecticides according to label instructions being sure to only treat affected areas as these products will kill beneficial insects as well;
Japanese beetles are small yet destructive pests that can wreak havoc on gardens and crops alike.
While these pests are difficult to get rid of once they’ve become established in an area, there are some management practices you can use to reduce damage caused by them. By being vigilant and taking action at the first sign of an infestation, you can help keep these destructive insects under control.
What makes Japanese beetles go away?
Japanese Beetles are a common problem for gardeners. The beetles are attracted to the sap in the leaves of plants, which they then feed on. This feeding can cause extensive damage to your plants.
Japanese Beetles are also difficult to get rid of because they lay their eggs in the soil, which hatch into larvae that then feed on the roots of plants. If you have Japanese Beetles in your garden, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them.
The best way to get rid of Japanese Beetles is to handpick them off of your plants and drop them into a bucket of soapy water. This will kill the beetles and prevent them from being able to lay eggs in your soil. You can also use insecticidal soap or neem oil as a last resort.
These products will kill not only the adult beetles but also the larvae, preventing new generations of beetles from appearing in your garden. Finally, you can try using traps specifically designed to trap Japanese Beetles.
These traps use pheromones to attract beetles, which then become stuck in the trap and cannot escape. Trapping is often most effective when done in conjunction with other control methods, such as handpicking or spraying with insecticidal soap.
Japanese Beetles are a common problem for gardeners, but there are a few things you can do to get rid of them. Handpicking them off of your plants and dropping them into soapy water is the best way to kill them.
You can also use insecticidal soap or neem oil, or try using traps designed specifically for Japanese Beetles. trapping is often most effective when done in conjunction with other control methods, such as handpicking or spraying with insecticidal soap.
Whatever method you choose, getting rid of Japanese Beetles takes patience and persistence. But with a little effort, you can get rid of these pests for good!
How long do Japanese beetles stay around?
Japanese beetles have a life cycle of about 30 to 45 days. The adults lay their eggs in the soil, which hatch into larvae that then feed on the roots of plants.
The larvae go through several stages of growth before pupating into adults. Once they emerge as adults, they will begin feeding on the leaves of plants for about two weeks before laying their eggs and beginning the cycle again.
In most cases, Japanese beetles will only be present in an area for one generation per year. However, in some areas with mild winters, it is possible for multiple generations to occur. This means that Japanese beetles can be a problem for gardeners throughout the summer months.
How do you keep Japanese beetles away at night?
Japanese beetles are attracted to lights at night, so it’s important to take measures to keep them away from your home. Here are a few tips:
-Turn off porch lights and other exterior lights as early as possible in the evening.
-Keep trees and shrubs trimmed away from your house so that Japanese beetles can’t use them as bridges to reach your lights.
-Use yellow “bug” bulbs in your outdoor lights; Japanese beetles are less attracted to yellow than they are to white light.
-Install motion-activated lights; these will only come on when something is moving, so they’ll deter Japanese beetles without inconveniencing your family or guests.
By following these simple tips, you can keep Japanese beetles away from your home at night and enjoy a pest-free summer!
