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

Illustration of Japanese beetle

Examples of Japanese beetle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

How To Identify Japanese Beetles Japanese beetles are about 5/16 to 7/16-inches long and have metallic green bodies with coppery-brown wing covers. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025

This tactic also works well for pests like cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and Japanese beetles that are often tricky to manage with soap sprays. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Japanese beetle

• acetyl
• bimetal
• decretal
• varietal
• centripetal
• fetal
• foetal

Kids Definition

Japanese beetle

noun

: a small glossy green and brown beetle introduced into America from Japan that as a grub feeds on the roots of grasses and on decaying vegetation and as an adult eats leaves, flowers, and fruits