This gives the leaf a characteristic skeletonized appearance . They tend to do little feeding on thick, tough leaves. The spread of the Japanese beetle infestation is primarily the result of flight by the adults. They can fly as far as 5 miles but 1 to 2 miles is more likely. Usually, they make only short flights as they move about to feed.
Local infestations spread as beetles move to favored food and suitable sites for egg laying.
Life Cycle Egglaying begins soon after adults emerge from the ground and mate. Females leave plants in theafternoon, burrow 2 to 4 inches into the soil in a suitable area, and lay their eggs. Females lay 1 to 4 egg every 3 to 4 days for several weeks - a total of 40 to 60 during their life. The grub or larval stage hatches from the egg. The Japanese beetle spends about 10 months of the year in the soil as a white grub.