The false Japanese beetle is a member of the Junebug family with a vague resemblance to the famous imported pest, the Japanese beetle. See the table below for a comparison of diagnostic characteristics. The beetles are leaf feeders and cause large, irregular holes in foliage, flowers and buds.
Damage is especially common on white and yellow roses and other flowers.
The adult beetles are usually present for only 2 weeks in late June and early July, during which time they mate and lay eggs in the soil. The larvae are white grubs found in the soil of grassy, sandy areas where they feed on plant roots. They have not been reported as a soil pest in Iowa. There is only one generation per year. Garden insecticides can be used but results may be disappointing, as insecticide residues may not control new beetles that fly in.