Japanese Beetle
Scientific Name: Popillia japonica
Order & Family: Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae
Size: 8 to 11 mm (about 0.3 to 0.4 inches) in length
Natural Habitat
Found in gardens, landscapes, parks, and agricultural fields; larvae live underground in turf and soil.
Diet & Feeding
Adults are generalist herbivores that skeletonize foliage/flowers from over 300 plant species; larvae (grubs) eat grass roots.
Behavior Patterns
Adults are active during the day, especially in warm sunny weather, often congregating in large groups for feeding and mating.
Risks & Benefits
An invasive pest that causes significant damage to ornamental plants, crops, and lawns; no significant benefits to the local ecosystem.
Identified on: 6/8/2026