
Community identification
Asiatic Garden Beetle
Maladera castanea
- Order & Family
- Order: Coleoptera; Family: Scarabaeidae
- Size
- 8 to 11 millimeters in length
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.