Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Saturday, July 26, 2008

Japanese beetles barrage state capital

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Japanese beetles are barraging the state capital.

``This is a superstar as far as being a pest,'' said Phil Pellitteri, an insect expert for the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The metallic green and copper insects have been damaging gardens, golf courses and swimming pools in recent years, and many say they are even worse this summer.

The beetle originated in an island in northern Japan and first appeared in the United States in New Jersey about 90 years ago.

``In the last 10 to 15 years it came to parts of northern Illinois and Wisconsin, and we have it in Green Bay and Eau Claire. It is spilling over to Iowa and Minnesota,'' Pellitteri said.

But what used to be an isolated problem in various areas of Wisconsin has become more universal.

``These cancers that used to be spots have spread,'' Pellitteri said.

The beetle larva may arrive in sod or nursery material, so golf courses are sometimes a source, he said.

As larva, the insects are a turf pest. In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as the most widespread turf-grass pest in the U.S.

As adults — from the end of June until early September — the beetles feed on foliage and fruits of several hundred species of trees, shrubs, vines, flowers and crops.

Local gardener Jane LaFlash, a board member of the Wisconsin Hardy Plant Society, said that she saw her first Japanese beetle two summers ago.

``They like sunnier gardens and roses, which I luckily don't have,'' she said. ``Last year every day I could knock some into my jar of water. I could keep up with them, but other places can't.''

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