Japanese Beetle
Popillia japonica Newman, 1838
Japanese Beetle in all of Ohio- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera
- Family
- Scarabaeidae
- Genus
- Popillia
Introduced and invasive status
Introduced in Ohio: iNaturalist (opens in a new tab)
Also listed
- Introduced and assessed as invasive in the lower 48 states
iNaturalist's volunteer curators list it as introduced in their Ohio checklist.
US-RIIS assesses a species as invasive when it causes, or is likely to cause, harm there, or is at least locally abundant and harmful ecologically, economically, or to health.
Status: Simpson A, Sellers E, Pagad S (2023). United States Register of Introduced and Invasive Species (US-RIIS), ver. 2.0. U.S. Geological Survey, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KFFTOD (opens in a new tab)
Range
Where it is recorded
Season shown in 12 of Ohio's 88 counties. Explore Ohio
- No result yet (10)
- Recorded, too few records for a result (57)
- Recorded, season not shown (9)
- Season shown (12)
Counties as a table
| County | Records |
|---|---|
| Adams County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Allen County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Ashland County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Ashtabula County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Athens County | 20 · Recorded, season not shown |
| Auglaize County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Belmont County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Brown County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Butler County | 28 · Season shown |
| Carroll County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Champaign County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Clark County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Clermont County | 41 · Season shown |
| Clinton County | No qualifying records yet |
| Columbiana County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Coshocton County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Crawford County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Cuyahoga County | 123 · Season shown |
| Darke County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Defiance County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Delaware County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Erie County | 21 · Recorded, season not shown |
| Fairfield County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Fayette County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Franklin County | 104 · Season shown |
| Fulton County | No qualifying records yet |
| Gallia County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Geauga County | 29 · Season shown |
| Greene County | 32 · Season shown |
| Guernsey County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Hamilton County | 82 · Season shown |
| Hancock County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Hardin County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Harrison County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Henry County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Highland County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Hocking County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Holmes County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Huron County | No qualifying records yet |
| Jackson County | No qualifying records yet |
| Jefferson County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Knox County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Lake County | 73 · Season shown |
| Lawrence County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Licking County | 35 · Recorded, season not shown |
| Logan County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Lorain County | 34 · Recorded, season not shown |
| Lucas County | 60 · Season shown |
| Madison County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Mahoning County | 33 · Season shown |
| Marion County | No qualifying records yet |
| Medina County | 34 · Recorded, season not shown |
| Meigs County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Mercer County | No qualifying records yet |
| Miami County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Monroe County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Montgomery County | 45 · Recorded, season not shown |
| Morgan County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Morrow County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Muskingum County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Noble County | No qualifying records yet |
| Ottawa County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Paulding County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Perry County | No qualifying records yet |
| Pickaway County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Pike County | No qualifying records yet |
| Portage County | 37 · Recorded, season not shown |
| Preble County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Putnam County | No qualifying records yet |
| Richland County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Ross County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Sandusky County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Scioto County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Seneca County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Shelby County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Stark County | 34 · Season shown |
| Summit County | 145 · Season shown |
| Trumbull County | 22 · Recorded, season not shown |
| Tuscarawas County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Union County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Van Wert County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Vinton County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Warren County | 34 · Recorded, season not shown |
| Washington County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Wayne County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Williams County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Wood County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
| Wyandot County | Recorded, too few records for a result |
No mapped range from the range source used, the USGS Gap Analysis Project, which maps land vertebrates only.
Season
When it is recorded
In Montgomery County
Late June to mid-August, middle week mid-July
Recorded in two separate seasons, each shown with its own early, middle and late weeks. A later season is not shown: only 4 records, too few.
Records per week from 45 records in 9 of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025. Shows when people recorded it, not a season or how common it is.
Show as a table
| Week | Records of Japanese Beetle | Years recorded | Records of all species |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 4–10 | 0 | 0 | 165 |
| Jan 11–17 | 0 | 0 | 71 |
| Jan 18–24 | 0 | 0 | 156 |
| Jan 25–31 | 0 | 0 | 194 |
| Feb 1–7 | 0 | 0 | 127 |
| Feb 8–14 | 0 | 0 | 144 |
| Feb 15–21 | 0 | 0 | 124 |
| Feb 22–28 | 0 | 0 | 137 |
| Mar 1–7 | 0 | 0 | 122 |
| Mar 8–14 | 0 | 0 | 221 |
| Mar 15–21 | 0 | 0 | 272 |
| Mar 22–28 | 0 | 0 | 269 |
| Mar 29 – Apr 4 | 0 | 0 | 482 |
| Apr 5–11 | 0 | 0 | 674 |
| Apr 12–18 | 0 | 0 | 853 |
| Apr 19–25 | 0 | 0 | 812 |
| Apr 26 – May 2 | 0 | 0 | 1,172 |
| May 3–9 | 0 | 0 | 849 |
| May 10–16 | 0 | 0 | 850 |
| May 17–23 | 0 | 0 | 880 |
| May 24–30 | 0 | 0 | 1,224 |
| May 31 – Jun 6 | 0 | 0 | 1,255 |
| Jun 7–13 | 0 | 0 | 1,217 |
| Jun 14–20 | 1 | 1 | 1,247 |
| Jun 21–27 | 2 | 2 | 1,015 |
| Jun 28 – Jul 4 | 3 | 3 | 990 |
| Jul 5–11 | 9 | 6 | 1,130 |
| Jul 12–18 | 6 | 6 | 1,190 |
| Jul 19–25 | 4 | 2 | 1,323 |
| Jul 26 – Aug 1 | 1 | 1 | 961 |
| Aug 2–8 | 3 | 2 | 1,177 |
| Aug 9–15 | 2 | 1 | 1,587 |
| Aug 16–22 | 10 | 2 | 1,241 |
| Aug 23–29 | 0 | 0 | 1,131 |
| Aug 30 – Sep 5 | 0 | 0 | 1,299 |
| Sep 6–12 | 3 | 2 | 1,342 |
| Sep 13–19 | 1 | 1 | 1,020 |
| Sep 20–26 | 0 | 0 | 722 |
| Sep 27 – Oct 3 | 0 | 0 | 624 |
| Oct 4–10 | 0 | 0 | 674 |
| Oct 11–17 | 0 | 0 | 557 |
| Oct 18–24 | 0 | 0 | 436 |
| Oct 25–31 | 0 | 0 | 389 |
| Nov 1–7 | 0 | 0 | 296 |
| Nov 8–14 | 0 | 0 | 279 |
| Nov 15–21 | 0 | 0 | 235 |
| Nov 22–28 | 0 | 0 | 210 |
| Nov 29 – Dec 5 | 0 | 0 | 94 |
| Dec 6–12 | 0 | 0 | 69 |
| Dec 13–19 | 0 | 0 | 85 |
| Dec 20–26 | 0 | 0 | 104 |
| Dec 27 – Jan 2 | 0 | 0 | 252 |
Reported as an adult
Only 7 records here are marked as adults, too few to show a adult season. One needs at least 20 records from 5 different years.
Reported as a larva
No records here are marked as larvae yet, so there is no larva season to show. One needs at least 20 records from 5 different years.
In Ohio
Late June to late August, middle week Jul 12–18
Records per week from 1,902 records in 10 of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025. Shows when people recorded it, not how common it is. The grey bars show how many records of all species were made here each week, so you can see when recording itself was high or low; the season is not adjusted by them.
Recorded on 595 dates. Latest record: September 2025.
Show as a table
| Week | Records of Japanese Beetle | Years recorded | Records of all species |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 4–10 | 0 | 0 | 6,211 |
| Jan 11–17 | 0 | 0 | 5,146 |
| Jan 18–24 | 0 | 0 | 4,645 |
| Jan 25–31 | 0 | 0 | 4,698 |
| Feb 1–7 | 0 | 0 | 6,023 |
| Feb 8–14 | 0 | 0 | 5,888 |
| Feb 15–21 | 0 | 0 | 5,436 |
| Feb 22–28 | 0 | 0 | 6,846 |
| Mar 1–7 | 0 | 0 | 8,321 |
| Mar 8–14 | 1 | 1 | 10,384 |
| Mar 15–21 | 0 | 0 | 12,620 |
| Mar 22–28 | 0 | 0 | 13,949 |
| Mar 29 – Apr 4 | 0 | 0 | 19,661 |
| Apr 5–11 | 0 | 0 | 26,860 |
| Apr 12–18 | 2 | 2 | 39,925 |
| Apr 19–25 | 2 | 2 | 41,623 |
| Apr 26 – May 2 | 0 | 0 | 56,391 |
| May 3–9 | 0 | 0 | 52,952 |
| May 10–16 | 0 | 0 | 53,785 |
| May 17–23 | 0 | 0 | 57,698 |
| May 24–30 | 0 | 0 | 54,651 |
| May 31 – Jun 6 | 0 | 0 | 53,099 |
| Jun 7–13 | 4 | 2 | 53,700 |
| Jun 14–20 | 21 | 6 | 56,625 |
| Jun 21–27 | 125 | 10 | 55,361 |
| Jun 28 – Jul 4 | 297 | 10 | 58,477 |
| Jul 5–11 | 362 | 10 | 61,336 |
| Jul 12–18 | 285 | 10 | 64,722 |
| Jul 19–25 | 193 | 10 | 69,753 |
| Jul 26 – Aug 1 | 133 | 10 | 59,416 |
| Aug 2–8 | 119 | 10 | 59,712 |
| Aug 9–15 | 96 | 9 | 55,994 |
| Aug 16–22 | 87 | 10 | 54,328 |
| Aug 23–29 | 34 | 9 | 51,772 |
| Aug 30 – Sep 5 | 46 | 10 | 57,167 |
| Sep 6–12 | 35 | 8 | 59,075 |
| Sep 13–19 | 16 | 6 | 54,543 |
| Sep 20–26 | 18 | 7 | 45,860 |
| Sep 27 – Oct 3 | 17 | 5 | 43,180 |
| Oct 4–10 | 1 | 1 | 37,841 |
| Oct 11–17 | 2 | 2 | 30,824 |
| Oct 18–24 | 3 | 1 | 21,156 |
| Oct 25–31 | 0 | 0 | 19,021 |
| Nov 1–7 | 1 | 1 | 14,172 |
| Nov 8–14 | 1 | 1 | 12,621 |
| Nov 15–21 | 0 | 0 | 7,965 |
| Nov 22–28 | 0 | 0 | 8,136 |
| Nov 29 – Dec 5 | 0 | 0 | 6,083 |
| Dec 6–12 | 1 | 1 | 6,004 |
| Dec 13–19 | 0 | 0 | 5,423 |
| Dec 20–26 | 0 | 0 | 5,661 |
| Dec 27 – Jan 2 | 0 | 0 | 8,459 |
Reported as an adult
Usually reported as an adult late June to late August, middle week Jul 12–18.
From 331 records that are marked as adults. Not every photo is marked with a life stage, so this shows when people reported it as an adult, not when adults are about.
Reported as a larva
Only 4 records here are marked as larvae, too few to show a larva season. One needs at least 20 records from 5 different years.
What these results show
These results show when people recorded a species, not when or where it occurs. Missing weeks and low counts do not mean absence or scarcity, and counts are not abundance. Contributed records reflect where, when and what people chose to observe.
Identification
How to identify it
Often confused with
- Dogbane Leaf Beetle Chrysochus auratusOften confused in Ohio: 13 identifications in Ohio named one where the other was meant
- Common Green June Beetle Cotinis (Cotinis) nitida90 identifications worldwide named one where the other was meant
- Oriental Beetle Exomala (Exomala) orientalis48 identifications worldwide named one where the other was meant
- Margined Shining Leaf Chafer Callistethus marginatus24 identifications worldwide named one where the other was meant
- Rainbow Scarab Phanaeus vindex11 identifications worldwide named one where the other was meant
From iNaturalist’s similar-species counts, refreshed monthly: confusions in Ohio first, then worldwide. Only species with an Ohio result are listed.
Months not reported
- Jan: no record
- Feb: no record
- Mar: recorded
- Apr: recorded
- May: no record
- Jun: recorded
- Jul: recorded
- Aug: recorded
- Sep: recorded
- Oct: recorded
- Nov: recorded
- Dec: recorded
Not reported in Ohio in January to February and May, 2016 to 2025.
Land cover where it is recorded
| Land cover | Its recordsAll Ohio records |
|---|---|
| Developed | 64%49% |
| Farmland | 18%11% |
| Forest | 14%31% |
| Wetland | 2%5% |
| Grassland and shrub | 1%0.9% |
| Open water | 0.8%3% |
| Barren | 0.1%0.6% |
From 1,107 records placed within 100 m, beside all Ohio records placed the same way. People record where they go, so this shows where records come from, not where the species lives. Land cover: USGS Annual NLCD, 2025 (opens in a new tab)
Sources
Where these results come from
- Records from iNaturalist research-grade observations and expert-identified GBIF datasets, CC0, CC BY and CC BY-NC. Sources
- Seasons use the published method and its evidence thresholds. Methods
- See it on iNaturalist (opens in a new tab)OpenPhenology is independent and not affiliated with iNaturalist.
Records behind the Ohio result
1,902 records from 2 datasets.
- iNaturalist Research-grade Observations (opens in a new tab) · iNaturalist.org · 1,893 recordsiNaturalist contributors, iNaturalist (2026). iNaturalist Research-grade Observations. iNaturalist.org. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/ab3s5x accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-11-13.
- iNaturalist observations (opens in a new tab) · iNaturalist.org · 9 recordsiNaturalist. Available from https://www.inaturalist.org. Accessed 2026-11-13
To cite: the GBIF download doi:10.15468/dl.y2jkt8 (opens in a new tab).
A spreadsheet (CSV) with a link to each record, on iNaturalist or GBIF. Records whose location was hidden by the observer or the source are counted but not linked.