LEXINGTON, Ky. — Japanese beetle (Figure 1) is having a big year in 2017, likely due to late summer rains and a mild winter in 2016-2017. It is attacking foliage and ripening fruit in many parts of the state. Grapes, blackberries, apples, beans, corn silks, hops, and okra are among its preferred fruits and vegetables. Green June beetle (Figure 2) is also beginning to become active and is often found feeding on fruits damaged by Japanese beetle. Green June beetle is a key pest on fruit as fruit softens and sugar content increases at harvest. These pests can create serious problems for growers when crops approach harvest due to some insecticide pre-harvest intervals. In some years, this is not a problem when populations are low, but this is not one of those years; numbers have been high in some areas.
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