Great Waves of Japanese Beetles Arriving

Japanese beetles are making themselves known in fields across Missouri, putting crop yields and backyard gardens at risk. University of Missouri Extension entomologist Kevin Rice explains what damage to look for among cash crops.

Rice suggests that farmers wait until a threshold is reached before using chemicals against the beetles.

Japanese beetles feast on more than 300 species of plants, including those common in vegetable gardens and household lawns. Rice recommends consulting the university’s Invasive Pest Management website for additional tips on dealing with Japanese Beetles and other invasive insects.