Oriental beetle
The Oriental beetle is a species of shining leaf chafer in the family Scarabaeidae. It is a beetle about 0.7 - 1.1 cm long, with mottled, metallic brown- and black-colored elytra and a similarly-colored thorax and head during the adult stage. It is sometimes confused with the Japanese beetle, which is however, larger and more colorful. During the larval stage, the Oriental beetle can be identified by the parallel line raster pattern.
This species is native to Asia. It was introduced to North America and has since spread to, and become a pest in, several mid-Atlantic states. Its invasive range extends from Maine to South Carolina and Wisconsin. In its larval stage, the grub feeds on the roots of grasses, while the adults feed on roses, phlox, mint, basil, and petunias. Adult beetles are nocturnal and feed mostly at night. Sex pheromone traps are available to capture and kill the Oriental beetle.
