Publication Date
2023
Abstract
Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), Popillia japonica Newman, is an invasive beetle introduced from Asia to the United States in the early 1900s. It was first detected in New Jersey and later distributed in 28 states in the United States (Fig 1). In Tennessee, the beetle population was first detected in 1936, and about 80 counties in Tennessee have been infested by their establishment. Adult beetles feed on over 300 plant species, including foliage, fruits, and flowers. It is a significant pest of turfgrass, and ornamental and horticultural crops in the eastern United States. Adults and larvae aggregate on the plants and can cause severe injury. Larvae, commonly known as grubs, feed belowground, destroying turfgrass roots in lawns, golf courses, and athletic fields. Adults feed mainly on the leaves of plants, eating between the veins and leaving a characteristic skeletonized appearance. Once established, Japanese beetles can be a challenging and expensive insect to control. The beetles in the United States are expected to cause damage worth $450 million per year for maintaining and replacing damaged turf and ornamental plants.
Recommended Citation
Gautam, Asmita; Addesso, Karla M.; Poudel, Anju; and Oliver, Jason B., "Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica)" (2023). Extension Publications. 178.
https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/extension/178