It's that time of year again where the Japanese beetles have emerged and are voraciously feeding and mating in large quantities on our once beautiful rose bushes. Once one appears, it seems like hundreds follow. I found out there's actually a reason for that. As it turns out, as the beetles eat, they release a pheromone that attracts other adult beetles. So, yes, where there's one there will soon be hundreds.
Japanese beetles don't live very long (about 30-45 days), but during that time the females will lay eggs every 24-48 hours. If the conditions are right, those eggs will hatch in about 2 weeks into grubs that will feed on the roots of grasses and other plants until the following summer. In other words, these beetles do damage above and below ground at all stages of their life. They are considered one of the most destructive garden pests.
Check out their life cycle:
Our specific beetles particularly enjoy our rose bushes and our grape leaves. However, they will not limit themselves to these plants. Japanese beetles will feed on the leaves and flowers of over 300 plants. Studies have shown that their favorites include roses, hibiscus, grapes, raspberries, sassafras, and Japanese maple.
It has been said that in order to control these destructive Japanese beetles, one must understand their life cycle and have a plan for attacking both the grub stage (which is hidden underground) and the beetle stage (which is visibly destructive). I believe there may be a lesson in there for us. In order for us to blossom into what God wants for us, we need to have His help in destroying/ getting rid of the obvious sins and the secret/hidden sins that can and will destroy us. Just as the plant cannot rid itself of the beetles on its own, so we too must have our Heavenly Gardener's help.
