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Japanese Beetle

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Photo credit: Steven Katovich, Bugwood.org

The Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is a destructive turf, grass, and plant pest.

Beneath the soil, growing grubs gnaw on grass roots causing them to brown and die.

Adult beetles feed on more than 300 ornamental and agricultural plants. They chew

large, irregular holes between leaf veins, which makes the leaves resemble a piece
of lace. Japanese beetles spread naturally or when people unknowingly move

infested plants, sod, or soil.

This beetle, native to Japan, was first discovered in the United States in New Jersey

in 1916. Since then, the beetle has spread throughout most of the Eastern and

Central United States. It also infests certain areas directly west of the Mississippi

River. APHIS regulates the movement of air cargo to keep hitchhiking adult beetles

from reaching Western States. We also help to eradicate outlier populations. 

What To Look For

The Japanese beetle can be very difficult and expensive to control. Here's what to

look for:

Appearance

Adult beetles have shiny, metallic-green bodies with bronze-colored outer

wings. They have six small tufts of white hair along the sides and back of

their bodies, right under the edges of their wings. They're a little less than

half an inch long. The males are usually slightly smaller than the females.

Japanese beetles have one generation a year.

Biology

During their feeding periods, about 4 to 6 weeks, females intermittently

leave plants, burrow about 3 inches into the ground to lay their eggs, and

then return to feed again. This cycle is repeated until the female lays 40 to

60 eggs. By midsummer, the eggs hatch, and the young grubs (larval

stage) begin to feed. When fully grown, each grub is about an inch long

and lies in a curled position.

Life cycle

In late autumn, grubs burrow 4 to 8 inches deeper and remain inactive all

winter. Then in early spring, they crawl through the soil and feed on tender

turf roots. Late spring, grubs change into pupae. About 2 weeks later, the

pupae become adult beetles and emerge from the ground. You're most

likely to see the adults from late spring through midsummer.

Damage

Look for well-maintained turf grasses with damaged brown patches,

especially in middle or late August. Female beetles are attracted to these
areas to lay their eggs.

How To Prevent This Pest

Keep your trees and plants healthy; diseased and poorly nourished trees and

plants are susceptible to beetle attacks.

Plant beetle-resistant trees and plants. See Managing the Japanese Beetle: A

Homeowner's Guide for a complete list.

Purchase plants from treated, reputable locations.

How It Is Treated

Homeowners can control beetles and exert minimal impact on the environment by

combining chemical, biological, and cultural strategies.

Chemical Control

Pesticides are toxic, and it is important to follow label directions exactly. When used

improperly, insecticides can pose serious hazards to people and wildlife. A variety of

chemical controls for adult beetles and grubs are available from retail outlets. You

can also contact your county cooperative extension about chemical control options

for Japanese beetle populations in your area.

Biological Control

The Japanese beetle has natural enemies (biological control agents) that can be

used to control their populations. Although these biological control agents take a

little longer to produce the same results as insecticides, they are not harmful to

people and wildlife, and they last longer in the environment. 

Cultural Control

Two other environment-friendly options that help control Japanese beetle

populations include:

Planting resistant plants, like red maple, boxwood, hosta, or begonia
Setting pheromone traps in your landscape

You can read more about all three options in Managing the Japanese Beetle: A

Homeowner's Guide.

Report Plant Pests and Diseases

Have you seen this pest or signs of pest damage? Immediately report your findings.

Find your State plant regulatory official

Find your State plant health director

Controlling Japanese Beetles

Current Status

APHIS maintains the Japanese Beetle Quarantine and Regulations to protect

agriculture and prevent the human-assisted spread of this pest. The Federal

quarantine is designed to reduce artificial spread of Japanese beetles by aircraft.

Japanese Beetle Distribution in the United States

Current U.S. Japanese beetle adult emergence map

APHIS' Response

We regulate airports located in States quarantined for Japanese beetle to keep the

beetles from hitchhiking on air cargo and spreading to new areas.

Japanese Beetle Program: Airport Regulatory Status

Manual for Airports

We also work with State departments of agriculture and other cooperators to protect

uninfested States and support agricultural commerce across the country.

U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (National Plant Board)

Regulatory Information

Federal Regulation: 7 CFR 301.48

Reports and Assessments
Assessment of Biocontrol Possibilities for Japanese Beetle (475.33 KB) (September

2020)

Contact Us

Melinda Sullivan

National Policy Manager

Email: melinda.j.sullivan@usda.gov

Phone: 240-330-0375