Traps set out to capture destructive Japanese beetle

By CAROL REITER
MERCED SUN-STAR

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MERCED -- The Japanese beetle, a major pest on the East Coast, has been found in Merced.

David Robinson, the agriculture commissioner for Merced County, said one of the beetles was found in a trap in southwest Merced.

"This is a major pest that is extremely destructive," Robinson said.

The beetles can attack ornamental landscape plants such as roses along with ag crops, including corn, grapes, alfalfa, strawberries and peaches.

The larvae feed on roots and the adults munch on the leaves and fruit of more than 300 crops. More than $460 million is spent in the United States to control the beetle.

Robinson said his office staff is putting out about 490 beetle traps in and around the area where the beetle was found, covering about 59 square miles. This is the first time the beetle has been found in Merced County, he said.

The traps will be put out over the next three days and will be monitored for at least three years.

"We have 12 vehicles out putting these traps up right now," Robinson said. "The traps are going to be in yards and other public places, and we are asking that the public leave the traps alone."

The Japanese beetle should not be confused with the more common hoplia beetle. This beetle, smaller and not as shiny as the Japanese beetle, is a common rose bush pest. It affects only roses and is found throughout California.

Scents, food and color are used to lure the Japanese beetles into the traps. The traps are not toxic to humans, he said.

The first Japanese beetle was found in the United States in 1917 and came from Japan.

There have been three infestations of the beetle in California. Each time, however, they've been eradicated.

"This is the first time in my 20 years in agriculture that I have seen this beetle," Robinson said.

If more of the beetles are found, he said, the county will have to treat the areas affected.

The beetle has been found at airports in California, where it probably ended up after hitching a ride on airplanes.

California has the perfect environment for the Japanese beetle, because there are extensive plantings of irrigated grass in yards and parks for the larvae to feed on. There are no natural enemies of the beetle in the state.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture lists the beetle as a target pest, along with the medfly and the light brown apple moth. Merced County consistently puts out traps to check for these and other pests.

Robinson said the Japanese beetle was found during a normal insect detection program.

"I hope that this is the only one we find, but if we find more, we will start a program to get rid of it," he said.

Suspicious insects can be reported to the California Department of Food and Agriculture hot line at 800-491-1899.