Oriental Beetle

Oriental Beetle (Exomala orientalis)
The larvae of the oriental beetle feed on the roots of plants, particularly tuft grasses, and serious damage to lawns often results. Grass that has been attacked by oriental beetle larvae will pull easily and often have brown, even dead patches.

The adults feed on roses, phlox, petunias, squash, and other plants. Beetles give plants a ragged appearance when they feed. The oriental beetle is also a serious pest of sugarcane in Hawaii.

The adult beetles are 13 mm long, and light brown to black in color, often with darker mottling on the wing covers. They are most common in coastal regions.

Photo courtesy of Mike Reding & Betsy Anderson, USDA ARS, Bugwood.org.

For control products and more information please see our Pest Beetle Control page.