Attractants for Japanese beetles tested in the field.

Of 19 attractants tested for attractiveness to the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman, about 50% were superior to the standard bait, anethole-eugenol (9:1). Phenyl ethyl butyrate, caproic acid, a combination of both, or either in combination with eugenol, were outstanding. Generally, fermenting baits were inferior. Phenyl ethyl butyrate-eugenol (9:1) and technical geraniol-eugenol (9:1) were about twice as efficient as the standard. The standard attractant was diluted with Deobase® (deodorized kerosene) to ½ its concentration with no loss in attractancy.