Japanese Beetles Decline in Numbers in North Carolina

Steve Frank, North Carolina Extension Entomologist, reports that severe droughts the past 3 years have resulted in fewer Japanese Beetles. The beetle depends on moist soil for keeping eggs viable and to allow burrowing of larvae.  Dry weather during this part of the life cycle results in fewer adult beetles.

I have destroyed many plants and trees because they attracted too many Japanese Beetles so I’m thrilled that nature is giving us a break from this pest.

Japanese Beetle eating a hibiscus bloom