Author
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Klein, Michael |
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Submitted to: Proceedings of the USDA Interagency Japanese Beetle Research Forum
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 2/15/1996 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman, was first discovered in the United States at a New Jersey nursery in 1916. At that time, it was only known from the Japanese islands, increasing in numbers in the northern part of its range. The beetle was not considered a pest in Japan since it took two years to complete its life cycle, it was heavily parasitized by a diptern parasitoid, and probably most importantly, it lacked the extensive larval habitat (turfgrass) that it found here. Now, most states east of the Mississippi River are generally infested. West of the river, several states (Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas) have one or more isolated infestation. Both adults and larvae of P. japonica cause extensive damage. Other direct costs result from control measures (both chemical and biological), and governmental regulations and quarantines. In addition, indirect costs such as soil erosion, environmental contamination, and loss of aesthetics occur. Adult beetles feed on over 300 plants and are pests of flowers, fruit, vegetables, trees, and horticultural and agronomic crops. Larvae feed primarily on the roots of grasses, but also will feed on the underground portions of flowers, and trees or shrubs. Control tactics against Japanese beetle adults and larvae have relied to a large extent on the use of chemical insecticides. Additional work is needed to expand the chemical inventory and application technology available for compliance with quarantines. Biological, and biologically-directed, controls have been important in the past and are likely to increase in importance in the future. |
