The Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is among the most damaging scarab beetles that infest turfgrasses in North America, Canada and Europe. These brightly colored beetles are not very destructive in Japan where they are controlled by native predators. Japanese beetle is also a potential pest of about 300 species of plants including: bean, cannabis, strawberry, tomato, pepper, grape, hop, rose, cherry, plum, pear, peach, raspberry, blackberry, corn, pea, okra and blueberry.
Damage
The adult beetles damage plants by consuming only the leaf material between the veins (giving the leaves a lace-like appearance) and also feed on flowers and fruit on the plants. More severe damage is caused by the subterranean larvae feeding on the roots of grasses and other host plants.
Scouting and identification is crucial since Japanese beetle grubs look like other white grubs and can only be identified through the pattern of spines and hairs on the underside of the tip of the abdomen.
There are specific natural enemies for different species of beetles.
For more information contact your local BioBee field agent.
