Japanese Beetle

Popilla japonica

The Japanese Beetle is a very common lawn pest that can be found in many different types of grasses all throughout the eastern part of the United States and as far west as Nebraska. Also known as Popillia japonica, the grub stage of this lawn-damaging insect draws predators who can also damage lawns.

Identify

Grubs

Sub Surface

An adult form Japanese Beetle is metallic green and oval-shaped. This invasive lawn pest has wing covers that are coppery-brown and an abdomen sporting a unique row of five tufts of white hairs on each side. The larvae of Japanese Beetles are white grubs with a distinct V-shaped series of bristles on their rasters. Adult Japanese Beetles feed on a wide range of broadleaf plants and weed, but at the grub stage, this lawn-damaging insect will also feed on a wide variety of plant roots, including ornamental trees and shrubs. Signs of Japanese Beetle damage in lawns include gradual thinning, yellowing and wilting of grass. Scattered, irregular or dead patches in your lawn can also occur. Affected areas of grass can easily be pulled up by hand. Additionally, predatory animals that feed on Japanese Beetle grubs can also cause damage to your lawn by digging it up to search for food.

Life Cycle

Control

There are two methods for controlling Japanese Beetles that TruGreen® recommends: 1. Use professionally applied pest control designed to prevent excess lawn pest populations, which can cause damage to your lawn 2. Kill insects, grubs and other lawn pests before they have a chance to damage your lawn Proper mowing and watering techniques can also help foster a healthy lawn that's more tolerant to lawn pest attacks—plus you'll get a lawn you'll want to live on in the process.