By Matt Giese, M.S., technical services manager for Syngenta

Japanese beetles, discovered in New Jersey in 1916, are destructive pests that target over 300 agricultural and ornamental plants. They are widespread across the eastern and central U.S., and have also spread west of the Mississippi River and into parts of the West Coast. In early summer, their metallic green bodies can quickly skeletonize foliage on landscape ornamentals in a short period of time.

Due to the risk presented to ornamental plants each season, it’s important to identify strategies to prevent significant damage from these insects.

• Maintain healthy plants: Diseased and nutrient-deficient plants are more susceptible to attacks
• Use resistant plants in the landscape: Boxwoods, hostas or begonias are resistant to Japanese beetles
  • However, lindens, roses, crabapples and Japanese maples are susceptible to feeding
• Preserve their natural predators: Choose control options that do not directly impact natural predator and parasitoid populations or foraging pollinators that may be in the same treatment areas

Acelepryn^® insecticide is labeled for foliar insect control on roses and outdoor landscape ornamentals and interior plantscapes that are in or around residential, commercial, recreational and institutional properties. It’s recommended for integrated pest management programs allowing predatory beneficial arthropod feeding behavior, like ladybird beetles, to aid in natural insect control.

It has little to no impact on beneficial insects and no effect on non-targeted insects, like honeybees.

Acelepryn has a 2(ee) recommendation expanding its use to control Japanese beetle adults and other foliage-feeding pests such as lace bugs and adelgids.

For foliar applications of Acelepryn targeting adult Japanese beetles on ornamentals:

• Use 4-8 fl. oz./100 gal. of water
• Apply preventively prior to beetle damage or at first observance of beetle activity
• Repeat applications as necessary depending on pest pressure

Other foliar pests such as caterpillars, sawflies and lace bugs can also be controlled with this rate range.

Daniel Potter, former professor of entomology at the University of Kentucky, found that the active ingredient in Acelepryn, chlorantraniliprole, can be an effective component of integrated pest and pollinator management programs on woody ornamentals. Read the article here.

Rotational tool: The chemistry in Acelepryn targets ornamental plant insects with its active ingredient, chlorantraniliprole, making it an excellent rotation partner with other insecticides.

Favorable environmental profile: Acelepryn binds to soil particles and has low water solubility, which means its movement in the soil toward ground or surface water is limited. Additionally, Acelepryn has limited impact on beneficial insects and non-targeted insects.

Small pack size: Acelepryn is available in a 4-oz. squeeze and pour container with the same level of control for your smaller, but just as important, application needs.

Tips for treating with fungicides
As warmer temperatures return, so do occurrences of disease. Areas with rainfall and nightly dew provide the perfect conditions for fungal spore germination and infection. 

• Employ proven cultural practices, like pruning to facilitate drying and air flow, and properly managing supplemental irrigation and timing
• When scouting for diseases, inspect foliage in the lower and interior canopy of the plant, as they may initially develop there due to wet foliage, reduced air movement and higher relative humidity
• Cultural practices and scouting alone are sometimes not enough to control diseases so preventive applications are necessary for the best protection
• For fungicide options, see the Lawn Portfolio brochure

Agronomic programs provide the framework for properly using different products to control primary disease problems, infestations and proactively manage against resistance.

For more information about insect control on roses and landscape ornamentals, contact your local Syngenta territory manager or read more information about Acelepryn on landscape trees and shrubs.

To find which Acelepryn brand is best for you, visit GreenCastOnline.com/AceleprynBrands. 

Performance assessments are based upon results or analysis of public information, field observations and/or internal Syngenta evaluations. Trials reflect treatment rates commonly recommended in the marketplace.

All photos are either the property of Syngenta or are used with permission.

© 2025 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties and/or may have state-specific use requirements. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration and proper use. Syngenta supports a FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendation for Japanese Beetle Adults. Please see the Section 2(ee) recommendation to confirm that the recommendation is applicable in your state. The Section 2(ee) recommendation should be in the possession of the user at the time of application. Acelepryn^®, GreenCast^®, the Alliance Frame, the Purpose Icon and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective third-party owners.