Green June beetle mass trapping and efficacy studies

Throughout the southeastern United States, green June beetle adults damage ripening fruit and grubs damage turf and other crops fertilized with compost or manure. Trapping and insecticide tactics are being evaluated against green June beetle adults to reduce local populations. Green June beetle adults were reported to be attracted to fermentation volatiles. Recently, two lures were found to be attractive to green June beetle adults: a five component blend called TRE#8607 (Trece Inc.) and 91% isopropanol. In 2008, 12 traps were set out along transects parallel to each of three ripening vineyards. Weekly, per vineyard beetle counts per trap were recorded and assessed the percentage of grape clusters damaged by green June beetle adults in vineyard adjacent to these traps. In addition, we evaluated the field efficacy against the green June beetle of several insecticides and biopesticides. Ten green June beetle adults were placed inside a screen cage and allowed to feed on grape clusters. These caged beetles were sprayed with one of several synthetic insecticides or biopesticides. After 2 days, the percentage mortality was noted and the results tabulated as relative field efficacy of each insecticide against feeding green June beetle adults. The potential to use mass trapping or insecticides against green June beetles is discussed.