Beetles on Dogwood and Maple: Likely Japanese Beetles—Foliar Spray or Systemic

Defoliating Beetles on Multiple Tree Species

A homeowner sees beetles on dogwood and maple; dogwood looks bad. Unclear if beetles eat leaves or bore wood.

Adults feed on 300+ plant species, skeletonizing leaves. They love maples, roses, grapes—and dogwoods. Grubs damage turf roots.

Foliar spray: Carbaryl, pyrethroids, or neem oil. Reapply weekly during 6–8 week flight (June–Aug).
Systemic: Soil-applied imidacloprid (spring) protects foliage all season.
Traps: Pheromone traps attract MORE beetles to your yard—avoid.
Grub control: Treat lawn in late summer for next year's adults.

Trees: Young Dogwood Decline: Borers, Transplant Shock, and Trimmer Damage; Growing Dogwood Trees from Seed: Chill Requirements; Retaining Wall Near a Mature Dogwood: Why 10 Inches of Fill Will Kill It; Identifying and Managing Japanese Beetles on Roses; Pink Dogwood Not Blooming: Nitrogen vs. Phosphorus Balance; Dogwood Flowers: The Truth About "Petals" and Sexuality; Spanish Moss on Dogwoods: Chemical and Cultural Control; Managing Douglas Fir Beetle Infestation on Steep Lakeside Slopes; Red Dogwood Leaf Browning in NE Alabama: Likely Anthracnose or Blight; Transplanting Volunteer Dogwood Seedlings: When and How

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