Illustration of Japanese beetle
Japanese beetle
noun
: a small metallic green and brown scarab beetle (Popillia japonica) that has been introduced into eastern North America from Japan and as a grub feeds on the roots of grasses and decaying vegetation and as an adult eats foliage and fruits
Examples of Japanese beetle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Tuck garlic and chives throughout your growing area to attract beneficial insects and repel pests such as aphids, Japanese beetles, snails, and rabbits.
—
Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 24 Sep. 2024
Rabbits, deer, and Japanese beetles tend to avoid the same plants.
5.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2024
Many other turf-destroying grubs, such as Japanese beetles and chafers, also are large white grubs.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2024
Or plant chives, which repel Japanese beetles and carrot rust flies.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 7 Aug. 2024
Mexican bean beetles, Japanese beetles, aphids, and leafhoppers are sometimes a problem.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2024
Pest control Unfortunately, Japanese beetles find basil leaves to their liking.
—Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, 11 June 2024
State and county officials are on the lookout for Japanese beetles, which are considered pests.
—Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 7 June 2024
Milky Spore, the product name for a biological control agent for Japanese beetle grubs, is a naturally occurring bacteria that infects the grubs and kills them.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 2 May 2024
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Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 24 Sep. 2024
Rabbits, deer, and Japanese beetles tend to avoid the same plants.
5.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2024
Many other turf-destroying grubs, such as Japanese beetles and chafers, also are large white grubs.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2024
Or plant chives, which repel Japanese beetles and carrot rust flies.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 7 Aug. 2024
Mexican bean beetles, Japanese beetles, aphids, and leafhoppers are sometimes a problem.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2024
Pest control Unfortunately, Japanese beetles find basil leaves to their liking.
—Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, 11 June 2024
State and county officials are on the lookout for Japanese beetles, which are considered pests.
—Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 7 June 2024
Milky Spore, the product name for a biological control agent for Japanese beetle grubs, is a naturally occurring bacteria that infects the grubs and kills them.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 2 May 2024
Cite this Entry
“Japanese beetle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Japanese%20beetle. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
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