Want to know Where Do Japanese Beetles Go at Night? Find the answer to this question in this informative post.
Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) can be seen in the gardens, causing damage by chewing plants and crops. Their daytime activities are well-known; the question is, Where Do Japanese Beetles Go at Night? This post will solve this query.
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Life Cycle of Japanese Beetles
If you want to understand the night position or activity of this insect, it is necessary to seize the life cycle of Japanese beetles. They endure complete metamorphosis, beginning as eggs laid in the soil. Larvae, commonly called grubs, hatch from the eggs and live underground for many weeks by consuming grassroots. After maturity, they develop as adult beetles, starting their over-ground activities.
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What Japanese Beetles Do in the Day
Japanese beetles are mainly diurnal, meaning they stay active in the daytime. Their activities during the day are feeding on the plants, laying eggs, and mating. You can see the damage caused by them in gardens and fields as they munch on foliage, blooms, and fruits.
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Where Do Japanese Beetles Go at Night
As evening falls, Japanese beetles reveal a change in behavior. In contrast to their daytime activities, this insect turns less active at night. Rather than flying and eating, these insects look for shelter to rest and secure themselves from predators.
Japanese beetles are popular to look for shelter in soil, vegetation, and other safe places at night. These insects may burrow in the soil, hide below the leaves, or take refuge in other crevices. This behavior is not just for safeguarding themselves from predators but also for preserving energy for the next day.
Night predators like bats and some bird species become active in the night. Japanese beetles follow a strategy to save themselves from becoming a midnight dinner of predators by retreating to safe locations. This manner is essential for their survival, as it helps them to get away from the grasp of predators hunting under the darkness.
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What Season Are Japanese Beetles Most Active?
Japanese beetles like warm climates; they become most active in the temperature range between 80-85 F. Temperature is also a reason that makes this insect look for shelter at night.
These insects can be seen when the weather changes from winter to summer and the temperature is 70 F. Japanese beetles appreciate humidity, but an excess of humid conditions of more than 60 percent can affect their flying ability. High humidity bound them to specific locations where they feed for satisfaction.
Once the temperature falls below 70 F, the population of Japanese beetles decreases. Slowly, the adults die when the frost arrives.
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How to Get Rid of Japanese Beetles
The easiest method to eliminate Japanese Beetles from your plant is picking them by hand and tossing them in a jar of soapy water. This trick is only helpful when the infestation has not prevailed. The use of neem oil is also an organic solution for removing these bugs.
You can also use chemical insecticides as well or grow plants that are Japanese beetle-resistant.