Are Japanese beetles swarming W. Mich?

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - If you think you've seen more Japanese beetles this year, you might be right.

Experts told 24 Hour News 8 Thursday that many insect populations get bigger and smaller over the years, and this might be a big year for the Japanese beetle for several reasons.

Michigan State University horticulturist Rebecca Finneran told 24 Hour News 8 that last year's rainy season provided good conditions for the Japanese beetles to lay their eggs.

And Mark Vanderwerp, a board certified entomologist from Rose Pest Soloutions, said this hot weather may be making eggs hatch quicker.

But don't forget, here in West Michigan, there are a lot of beetles that look like the Japanese beetle.

But if you are seeing more beetles this year, even if they are of the Japanese variety, experts say there's no reason to overreact. They shouldn't noticeably hurt the average homeowner.

"A Japanese beetle is not a real big pest if you're a homeowner," said Vanderwerp. "It's more [of a problem] if you kind of grow plants for a living, then it's kind of a problem. But you know usually the worst case scenario (is)they're going to chew on a few leaves in your yard and plants. [But] you know, trees are usually big, healthy systems and if they lose a couple leaves to beetle feeding, it's no biggie."

Finneran said they're planning on releasing Japanese beetles with a pathogen in them into nature to hopefully control that beetle population within the next few years.