The Japanese beetle is a small, metallic-green insect native to Japan. It measures about 0.5 inches in length and has distinctive copper-brown wing covers. These beetles are known for their voracious appetite, feeding on the leaves, flowers, and fruits of over 300 different plant species, which can cause significant damage to gardens and crops. Introduced to the United States in the early 1900s, the Japanese beetle has since spread across much of the country. They are typically active during the summer months, and their life cycle includes stages as eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults. Effective management strategies include handpicking and the use of traps.