Invasive SpeciesJapanese beetle

Popillia japonica
FOUND by Mainer95
2012-07-09
Cumberland Foreside
ID Confirmed
Quality checked by Mainer95
Peer reviewed by
Field Notes
I was on the phone while walking around our lawn. While I was casually looking at the plants by the bay, I spotted these pesky critters! Though they are one of my favorite invasives, their defoliating powers are quite amazing! I decided that I should document my siting of these species. (Vital Signs is always in my mind now.) :) It is hard for me not to want to document my siting of an invasive species on the VS website. I wanted to make sure to get at least one more observation up before my Envirothon trip! The beetles also reminded me of manyeyes' recent spotting of these beetles in her backyard. Thanks to the Vital Signs team for getting me hooked on this website (and thanks to the Wild Carrot for her species card that helped me build my evidence)! I am happy because I am using the Vital Signs website (and indirectly communicating with the VS team). Hi all! Truly, Kansas
Supporting Evidence
Photo of my evidence.
The colors on the beetle were appropriate for Japanese beetles: the beautiful jade-colored thorax, the milk chocolate-colored wing case, and the coal black abdomen, perfectly speckled with cream white dots.
Photo of my evidence.
Though I did not get a picture of it, I did see some beetles mating, and these beetles do mate in July, so the timing is right! Though I did not measure the beetles, I would estimate that they were around a centimeter long (within an appropriate length for a Japanese beetle).
Photo of my evidence.
They were in their perfect habitat - on leaves. There were lots of holes in the leaves around the beetles, so it is a pretty good sign that the beetles were eating the plants around them.
Species Observation: Species Looked For
Did you find it?: 
I think I found it
Scientific name:
Popillia japonica
Common name:
Japanese beetle
Sampling method: 
Just looking around
Photo of our sampling method.
Place Studied
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Map this species
Latitude: 
N 43.738608 °
Longitude: 
W -70.197937 °
Observation Site Information
A photo of our study site.
Habitat: 
Upland - Developed areas
Trip Information
Name:
Lantern Lane
Trip date: 
Mon, 2012-07-09 16:20
Town or city: 
Cumberland Foreside
Type of investigation: 
Species Survey
Ecosystem: 
Upland
Watershed: 
Presumpscot

Comments

Submitted by rchawley on Tue, 2012-07-10 10:55.

Fantastic photos Kansas! And a little rap

Kansas is so hip and kewl
He runs the envirothon and the skool
You know he takes super sweet images
of those beetles getting fresh with foliages
We miss those days in the third floor
When the Kansas swag walked through the door
And whipped out macro cards like it's no big deal
It's Kansas yo, this kid's for REAL.

Word.

Submitted by Mainer95 on Tue, 2012-07-10 11:22.

Thanks, Wild Carrot!

Beautiful rap! Thanks! I would try and respond with a rap, but it would most likely be a dismal failure, so I have chosen prose instead.

I hope you enjoy all of those BMI cards. :) Macros are fun! Let me know if you have any questions over them.

I'll be watching to see your next video blog (maybe you should make one about macro-invertebrates even though they are native). :)

Submitted by manyeyes on Mon, 2012-07-09 19:45.

veg with a view

I do love those creamy white dots. Oh to have distinct markings like that.

I just took a big jarful of these beetles off of my prize rose bush and neighboring aster this morning. We're on the same wavelength, Kansas.

Can't blame your beetles for climbing onto the tallest stems they can find - sweet ocean views from up there!

Submitted by Mainer95 on Mon, 2012-07-09 20:49.

Beautiful Beetles

I love the jade colored thorax on the beetles. I think it is so cool (and a great complement to the brown wing covers)! They must be artists! They are still pesky though -- they just eat the vegetation so fast!

I did not find any up by the house and in the flowers, so they must be congregating down at the end of the property for the ocean views! Who wouldn't want a view of Casco Bay while munching on green leaves? Sounds like a great place to eat to me!

Submitted by sniffly salamander on Mon, 2012-07-09 17:46.

Hi, Kansas!

Howdy!! Nice photos. I think it's really cool how if you zoom in you can see all the little hairs on the beetles. I also like your method photo :)

Best!
~sniffly

Submitted by Mainer95 on Mon, 2012-07-09 18:51.

Thanks, Sniffly!

I find these beetles to be really cool! I have always loved them, since I was really young! Their colors are my favorite part. I was waving to all of you guys in that method photo! :)

With Vital Signs always in my heart,
Kansas