Japanese Beetles
Japanese beetles are known for their destructive feeding habits, devouring leaves, flowers, and fruit. Learn how to protect your plants and lawn from these invasive pests.
What Are Japanese Beetles?
Japanese beetles feed on over 300 species of plants, including flowers, fruit trees, and ornamental shrubs. They usually feed in groups, starting from the top of the plant and working downward, creating a lace-like appearance on leaves. Though one beetle doesn’t consume much, group feeding causes significant damage.
These beetles are most active on warm, sunny days and prefer plants exposed to direct sunlight. Damage is often noticeable during peak feeding periods in the summer months.
Description & Habits
Adult Japanese beetles are metallic green with copper-brown wing covers and a row of white hair tufts along each side. Measuring around 7/16-inch long, they typically emerge in June and remain active for 4–6 weeks. Individual beetles live about 30–45 days but cause considerable damage during that time.
- Adults feed on plant foliage, flowers, and fruit.
- Leaves appear skeletonized with tissue eaten between veins.
- Beetles are highly mobile and can travel miles to new areas.
- They often prefer plants already damaged by other beetles.
Japanese Beetle Life Cycle
After mating, females lay 40–60 eggs underground in soft, moist soil. The eggs hatch into white grubs that feed on the roots of grasses and seedlings. By late August, they reach about one inch in length and overwinter in the soil. These grubs are the larval stage responsible for damaging turfgrass in lawns, golf courses, and parks.
- Eggs laid 2–3 inches underground in summer.
- Larvae feed on grass roots and organic matter.
- Pupate in spring and emerge as adults in early summer.
- Most active during June through August.
Professional Japanese Beetle Control
Problem Solved Pest Control provides targeted treatments to eliminate both adult beetles and grubs. Our comprehensive lawn and plant care programs include soil inspections, root treatments, and surface sprays to prevent reinfestation.
- Customized lawn and ornamental plant treatments.
- Soil applications to eliminate grubs at the root level.
- Surface protection against adult beetle feeding damage.
- Eco-friendly solutions that protect pollinators.
Free Pest & Lawn Analysis
Our experienced technicians offer fast, professional service throughout Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee Counties. Contact us for a free lawn inspection and treatment plan to keep your yard healthy and pest-free.
