Bug Identifier
Asiatic Garden Beetle
Community identification

Asiatic Garden Beetle

Maladera castanea

Order & Family
Order: Coleoptera; Family: Scarabaeidae
Size
8 to 11 millimeters in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found in gardens, lawns, and agricultural fields; often burrows in soil during the day and emerges at night.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on foliage and flowers of over 100 different plants; larvae (grubs) eat the roots of grasses and ornamentals.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal; adults are strongly attracted to bright lights and are active during warm summer nights. They have a 1-year life cycle.

Risks & Benefits

A minor to moderate garden pest that can damage ornamental plants and vegetables; they belong to the ecosystem as a food source for birds and small mammals.