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

Aromatic garlic deters many rose pests, including aphids, spider mites, Japanese beetles, and deer. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026

Grubs, the larvae of beetles such as Japanese beetles and June bugs, pose a significant threat to many plants by feeding on their roots while residing in the soil. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 Apr. 2026

Both also make a tasty snack for Japanese beetles. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026

Their tender new growth and high sap content create an easy feeding source for aphids, spider mites and Japanese beetles. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026

Among the most common pests drawn to rose bushes are aphids, spider mites and Japanese beetles. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026

The most common species in Chicago are Japanese beetles and green June beetles, said Christopher Dietrich, an entomologist at the Illinois Natural History Survey. —Laura Turbay, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026

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