Knowledgebase
Japanese beetles #945246
Asked September 16, 2026, 9:21 PM EDT
Delta County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Pam,
Japanese beetles
Look for adults in late June through September. Timing may vary by location. Adults tend to congregate on plants, feeding between the leaf veins and making leaves look lace-like or skeletonized. Japanese beetle adults feed on a wide variety of herbaceous perennials.
Management
Japanese beetles are attracted to previously damaged plants, so it is important to control beetles early. Pheromone and bait traps are not recommended because they attract more beetles from surrounding areas and can cause greater plant damage. Small numbers of Japanese beetle adults can be hand-picked. Contact insecticides may
be applied as soon as adults are apparent. Note that many contact insecticides are harmful to bees, beneficial insects, and mites
More information at the link below:
Japanese beetle - Integrated Pest Management
Additional information at the links below:
How to Control Japanese Beetles | Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum
Japanese Beetles - MSU Extension
Managing Japanese beetles in fruit crops - MSU Extension
Japanese beetle: Tips for your lawn - MSU Extension
GDD of Landscape Insects - Integrated Pest Management
I hope this helps!