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beetle devouring my leaves #939120

Asked July 13, 2026, 2:52 PM EDT

i have copper-colored, looks like beetles. hundreds of them on my plants. can you tell me what they are and how to get rid of them? real sparkly.

Gladwin County Michigan

Expert Response

Hello
These are a non-native insect, Japanese beetle. They are reportedly high in numbers sround many parts of the state this summer.
Some years the population is lower, some years it is higher.
An organic option is to go out in early morning while still coo, and beetles are more sluggish, and shake the branches over a bucket of soapy water. Allow the beetles to drown and then discard.  
For plants not yet affected you can protect them during the adult feeding stage by covering with floating row covers or fine netting, gathering it around the base of the plant. Check daily to be sure no wildlife, like birds or chipmunks, etc. have become trapped under the cover. Remove the covers when the adult population has subsided. 
Here is chemical management information for the adult beetles from MSU Extension-

“Adult control can be frustrating. If the population is high, insecticide applications may need to be made on susceptible plants every four to seven days while adults are active. When the leaves of susceptible plants are damaged, they give off chemicals that make them much more attractive to Japanese beetle attack. As plants are replaced or added to landscape plantings, highly susceptible plants should be avoided. Sprayable products containing the active ingredients carbaryl, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin or permethrin are the best choices for adult control.

Although most insecticides for Japanese beetle control can be purchased over the counter, remember that they are poisons and must be used carefully and according to the label. Always wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, shoes (or rubber boots if applying a liquid application) and rubber gloves when applying insecticides. Keep the wind to your back when applying insecticides. Be careful when mixing insecticides. Wear rubber gloves and do not spill any concentrated insecticide on your skin and clothes. If this happens, wash immediately with soap and water.”

It is best to apply insecticides when bees and other desirable insects are not active, such as in the cool of the early morning or evening. Please always read and follow all label directions and cautions. Some chemicals cannot be applied in high temperatures, so check your label.

Here is the complete bulletin on Japanese beetles- https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/japanese_beetles_e0010turf

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