Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-06
THE HOME GARDENER


Quite little renewed interest has
developed in the Japanese beetle this
Summer following the distribution of
the glass jar traps and the publication
OF certain accounts of its presence in
menacing numbers. Various insects
are liable to be confused with the
Japanese beetle by those who have not
seen 1t. In Department of Agriculture
Circular No. 1863, entitled The
Japanese Beetle" the adult is described
as a beautiful and brightly colored
insect varying in length from 5-16th to
7-16th Of an inch. The color is bright
metallic green, except the greater part
of the wing covers, which are coppery
brown. The legs, too, have distinctive
color, being of a dark, metallic, coppery
green.
The injury caused to foliage by the
Japanese beetles is described as very
characteristic and conspicuous. On
trees the leaves are generally skeleton
lied rather than completely eaten.
Usually feeding begins on the upper
and outer parts of the tree, the beetles
apparently enjoying the full heat of
the sun.
In New Jersey about 200 species of
plants were found to be eaten by the
japanese beetle. which means that it is
practically omnivouS. Practically all
crops were attacked, especially the
apple, ounce, peach, sweet cherry,
plum, grape, blackberry, clover and
corn. Ornamentals included the lin
den, birch, oak, elm, SasSafras, horse
chestnut, willow, rose of Sharon, rose
and various flowers and grasses. This
unrestricted feeding is manifestly bad
feature, since it means that there is no
way of starving out the Japanese
beetle.
Complete eradication of the japanese
beetle was seriously attempted in the
beginning, but it was soon found to be
impossible. Various means of prevent
ing serious injury to cultivated plants
have, however, been worked out. AS
reported in Circular 1863, it was found
that arsenate of lead, pounds to SO
gallons of water, with pounds of -four
added to make the spray adhere better
was effective for protecting apples,
grapes and various ornamental trees,
provided a thorough job of spraying
was done.
The beetles are strongly attracted by
certain essential plant oils. One of
these. geraniol. was found especially po-
tent in drawing the beetles. The at
tracing power of these oils is the basis
of success of the glass jar traps now
placed about the city.
Inc ADULTS were IOunQ TO i've an
average of "A to as days, the insect
spending the greater portion of its life
in the soil, where 1t remains from the
egg to the mature beetle stage. In fact,
the total life of the Japanese beetle is
one year, most of which is in the soil.
where it often does much harm by feed
ing on plant roots.
There seems nc reason to become
thoroughly alarmed over the presence
of this insect, which already has been
found in several places in our territory.
Means Of control have been worked out
by skilled entomologistS and in time
it is hoped that parasites will be found
which will assume natural control. No
evidence is obtainable that this pest is
serious problem in Japan. its native
land. it being probable that parasites
keep it in check. Those who are par
ticularly interested should write the De-
partment of Agriculture for a copy of
Circular No. 1863, which discusses the
subject from its many aspects.