Japanese Beetles Now Showing Up in Minn. Gardens

Japanese beetles were first spotted in Minnesota in the 1960s.

After a dip in population in the mid-2002, they seem to be showing up in increasing numbers in the last few years.

Jeffrey Hahn is an entomologist with the University Minnesota Extension.

He says the pesky beetles rarely kill plants but they feed on more than 300 different kinds of trees and flowers. They eat holes in leaves and blossoms which can cause plants to become brown.

Hahn wrote a blog entry listing the best ways to treat against Japanese beetles if you decide you want to rid them from your yard.

The beetle is sometimes confused with Emeral Ash Borers, which the state is trying to track. The U of M Extension has pictures to help you sort out what the different insects look like.

 

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