Japanese Beetle
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Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is highly attracted to fresh silks and can be an occasional pest, particularly in boarder rows. Silk feeding by Japanese beetle can interfere with pollination of the ear as well as expose the tip of the ear to birds and sap beetles. Damage to the ear tip by Japanese beetle may also increase the risk of ear rots.
Japanese beetles on ear silks.
(Photo: UK Vegetable IPM Team, University of Kentucky)
Management:
- Sprays for corn earworm usually provide excellent control of Japanese beetle.
- Select varieties with excellent ear-tip coverage.
- Monitor Bt sweet corn and spray for Japanese beetle as necessary.
