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

Japanese Beetles Japanese beetles, which have metallic green bodies and coppery wing covers, have voracious appetites, chowing down on more than 300 plant species, including crepe myrtle. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 Aug. 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