Temperatures will continue to fall over the next few days

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

If you think that you are seeing more Japanese beetles eating the plants in your garden this year, you're not mistaken. Entomologists at the University of Minnesota confirm that the destructive pests are thriving in Minnesota right now and the problem is only going to get worse.


University of Minnesota Professor Vera Krischik, one of the state's leading authorities on Japanese beetles, says climate change is partly to blame.  


"These cold wet springs we usually have kill them, and if you think about it it's been getting warmer in the spring," Krischik said. "As long as it's above 50 (degrees), they can be active and feed on roots."


The bugs are about a half inch long with a dark metallic green head and tan wings. They particularly like roses, but they eat 300 kinds of plants and are not easily controlled with chemicals. 


"The problem with managing Japanese beetles as adults or as grubs is that they're in places where honeybees and native bees would forage," Krischik said. But she said, a new pesticide called Acelepryn (or GrubEx) is less harmful to bees. 

Click the audio player above to hear the interview.

Minnesota author's guide to a bee-friendly backyard

Environmental News

Shows

Morning Edition

Phil Picardi

Author

If you think that you are seeing more Japanese beetles eating the plants in your garden this year, you're not mistaken.

Why Japanese beetles are particularly bad this year

Go Deeper.

Like this?