The Japanese beetle is a devastating pest in urban areas. Adults are 3/8 inch long, metallic green in color with hard copper-brown wings, and are distinguished from other beetles by five small white tufts projecting from under each wing and a sixth set of tufts on the abdomen. They are most active from May through July, during which time they feed on about 300 species of plants. The beetles usually feed in groups starting at the top of a plant or tree and working their way down destroying tissue and leaving a skeleton-like appearance. For more information on the Japanese beetle, natural predators, insecticides, trapping, and other control measures, see the
University of Kentucky Department of Agriculture website.
