ScientificName: Popillia japonica

Description: Adult- ½-inch, oval, black bodies with greenish-brown wing covers. Larva- creamy white grubs with a light brown head.

Habitat/Food: Mostly located in the northeastern U.S., the Japanese beetle consumes the foliage of more than 400 different types of plant species. In the larva stage, this pest feeds on grass roots and can severely damage turfgrass.

Life Cycle: Adults mate in summer, then females deposit eggs in the soil by August. Larvae overwinter in the soil feeding until they emerge the next summer to repeat the cycle.

Organic Control: Bag-A-Bug products are very useful in stopping adults from attacking plants.

Interesting Fact: At present, most states east of the Mississippi River are regulated to prevent the artificial spread of the pest. All airplane departures from these states for the western states during the period of the year when adults are active must be regulated to prevent the pest from hitchhiking to that area. Infestations have been found in western states but have been eradicated quickly.