Expert: Jim Hyland - 4/2/2008

Question
QUESTION: Is it true that this particular tree will attract Japanese beetles?

ANSWER: No it will not attract Japanese beetles but the beetles do like this tree and many other the best. More than 400 plant species within 95 families are susceptible to attack by this pest. Adult beetles not only damage many ornamental plants, shrubs, vines and trees, but also small fruits, tree fruits, row crops and many other plants. Beetle grubs feed on plant roots, attacking mainly turf (lawns, golf courses, and pastures) but also damage the roots of many other crop and ornamental plants.

If you see the beetles on the trees they can be controlled with the use of an insecticide.
Many insecticides are labeled for Japanese beetle control on landscape plants. Examples include acephate (Orthene Turf, Tree & Ornamental Insecticide), carbaryl (Sevin and many other brand names), cyfluthrin (Bayer Advanced Garden Multi-Insect Killer Concentrate), lambda-cyhalothrin (SpectracideŽ TriazicideŽ Soil & Turf Insect Killer Concentrate), esfenvalerate (Ortho Bug-B-Gon Garden & Landscape Insect Killer Concentrate), and permethrin (SpectracideŽ Bug Stop Multi-Purpose Insect Control Concentrate and many other brands). Neem extracts (Bon-Neem) deter Japanese beetle feeding but may not be adequate against high populations.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I will rate you as you did respond very quickly.  But how can you control or spary the trees when in fact I hear they will grow to 25ft in height.  I am really concerned about planting this tree.

Answer
The beetles will effect the smaller trees to a larger extent than the tree after it grow taller. The chances of the tree being infested with the beetles is low. And if the tree get attacked when it is large there are insecticides that can be add to the soil and the tree roots takes the insecticide  up to the leaves killing the feeding beetle. Bayer Advance is one of these.

The insecticide dissolved in water moves down through the soil, where it is absorbed by the roots. Once absorbed, it moves up through the tree or shrub providing year-long insect protection. Bayer Advanced(TM) Tree & Shrub Insect Control even moves into new growth after application, thus protecting it, too! To get complete protection, the insecticide must distribute completely through the tree/shrub. Depending on the size and health of the plant, this may take one week to three months (for very large trees). Rain or water cannot wash off this internal protection.

So I would not be concerned with Japanese Beetle