Japanese Beetle

Japanese beetles are about one-half inch long and feed on the leaves, flowers, and fruits of many plants. Adults make "skeletons" out of the leaves by eating everything but the large veins. Eggs are laid in the soil in late summer where they hatch. The larvae or grubs feed on the roots of plants, particularly grasses, and overwinter in the soil. Adults emerge in May and mate and feed through August.

Control: Handpick the beetles and either stomp on them or discard them in a jar of soapy water. Insecticides are available.