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Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) adults are 3⁄8-inch long metallic green beetles with copper-brown wing covers. Five small white tufts of hair project from underneath wing covers at the tip of the abdomen. Mature larvae are crescentshaped grubs about 1 inch long with a brown head and grayish-black end; hairs on the last body segment (raster) form a V-shaped pattern near the anal opening. Adults feed on ripening fruit as it ripens and softens; they do not feed on leaves. Japanese beetles feed in groups and can be present in large numbers.

Japanese beetle adults and damage.

(Photo: Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky)

Large numbers of Japanese beetles.

(Photo: Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky)

Japanese beetle grub.

(Photo: Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky)

Management:

• Avoid use of Japanese beetle traps.
• Apply foliar insecticides.
• Grub management does not usually manage adults.

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