The Oriental beetle: another new state record

Howard Russell and Jim Zablotny, MSU Diagnostic Services and USDA/APHIS/PPQ -

Editor’s note: This article is from the archives of the MSU Crop Advisory Team Alerts. Check the label of any pesticide referenced to ensure your use is included.

Several weeks ago, we received specimens of some white grubs that a nurseryman found in container stock that he recently received from an out-of-state supplier. The grubs’ rastor pattern (hairs on the butt) resembled May/June beetle grubs, but they differed significantly from anything that I had seen before. I tentatively identified them as Oriental beetle grubs and sent them on to Jim Zablotny for confirmation. This past week Jim informed me that the USDA had confirmed them to be Oriental beetles, Exomala orientali (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).

This bug was found last year in Indiana. It is known to occur in Ohio and throughout the northeastern United States. It is a serious pest of turf and many ornamental plants.


The rastor pattern of an Oriental beetle white grub.
Photo credit: H. Russell, Diagnostic Services.


The rastor pattern of a May/June beetle white grub.
Photo: H. Russell, Diagnostic Services.


Adult oriental beetles. Note the variation in color.
Photo credit: Mike Reding & Betsy Anderson, USDA
Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org.

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