My dh found quite a number of what looks to me like an immature Japanese Beetle on the ground and around our sweet corn crop. This beetle is in the shape of the Japanese Beetle but the coloring seems to be off. Copper around black on the head and a dull brown color to the body.
Am including a picture - if you need better ones - I can probably go out to the field and take pictures of them on the crops.
The picture is fuzzy but it does look like a Japanese beetle. The colors and sizes can vary and the females and males are colored differently so that could be what's throwing you off.
I forgot to mention that there is a False Japanese beetle: http://www.entomology.umn.edu/cues/extpubs/1008turfpests/1008_02.html Scroll to the middle of the page for a comparison of the two.
This message was edited Jun 11, 2008 12:56 PM
Based on the article you suggested - the japanese beetle has white tufts on his side. I used a magnifying glass to study 'our' bug - and sure enough those white patches are missing. It's a relief at this point - but we'll keep watch to make sure that the 'real' one doesn't show up!
Thanks so much!
Either way, you need to watch out. Most beetles do feed on leaves.
