The Japanese Beetle is a highly destructive invasive scarab from Japan introduced to New Jersey around 1916, now established across the eastern United States. Adults are strikingly beautiful — metallic green with copper-brown wing covers and white tufts — but cause enormous damage as they skeletonize hundreds of plant species in summer. Larvae are turfgrass grubs that damage lawns.
Best time to see a Japanese Beetle
The best time to see a Japanese Beetle is June–July, when about 77% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 57,083 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Japanese Beetle? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Japanese Beetle sightings near you
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