Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) were found for the first time in B.C. in Vancouver in 2017. Efforts are now underway to try to eradicate this pest of lawns, gardens, parks and agricultural crops.
These distinctive-looking beetles are about 12 mm in length, with a bright metallic green body and shiny brown forewings (elytra). Tufts of white hairs occur at the rear and along the edges of the abdomen. The C-shaped larvae are similar to those of June beetles and other members of the scarab beetle family.
Feeding by larvae is largely restricted to the roots of grasses. Adults often feed in large aggregations on a wide range of plants, with grapevines being one of the preferred hosts.
Adults skeletonize leaves by eating the tissue between the leaf veins. Considerable economic damage is caused to grapes in Ontario, particularly those that are managed organically.
