Japanese beetle vs Green June beetle
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a japanese beetle from a green june beetle, and whether either one bites or stings.
Japanese beetle
Popillia japonica
Green June beetle
Cotinis nitida
≠The key differences
Larger (about 20-28 mm), mostly green with a bronze sheen and lacking the regular white abdominal tufts; different flight and body shape.
⚖︎Side by side
| Japanese beetle | Green June beetle | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Non-toxic | Non-toxic |
| Size | 8-11 mm long | 15-22 mm long |
| Colours | Metallic green, Coppery brown, Cream (larva), White (abdominal tufts) | Metallic green, Golden yellow, Bronze brown |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Habitat | Adults found on shrubs, trees, flowers and crops in sunny locations; larvae live in turf, lawns, pastures and grassy areas with soil organic matter. | Gardens, orchards, woodlands edges, compost piles, turf and lawns in urban and rural areas |
| Range | Native to Japan; invasive across much of eastern and midwestern North America with spreading populations in parts of western North America, and established in Europe in the Azores, northern Italy and Switzerland. | Eastern United States from the Atlantic coast west into parts of the Midwest and south into Florida and Texas |
| Active | Adults active in summer months (commonly June-August); larvae active in late summer through spring while feeding on roots. | Warm months (primarily June and July in much of their range); active mainly during the day |
| Pest? | Yes | Yes |
🔍How to spot a japanese beetle
- Adults 8-11 mm, metallic emerald-green head and thorax with coppery-brown elytra
- Five small white tufts of hair along each side of the abdomen plus two at the tip, visible just below the edge of the elytra
- Adults skeletonize leaves, leaving a lace-like appearance on foliage
🔍How to spot a green june beetle
- Large, broad beetle 15-22 mm long with a velvety green upper surface and shiny metallic green underside
- Tan to orange-yellow margins along the elytra
- Stout legs with digging spines and a convex, oval body shape
- Usually active in daytime and dusk feeding on fruit or sap
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a japanese beetle and a green june beetle?
Larger (about 20-28 mm), mostly green with a bronze sheen and lacking the regular white abdominal tufts; different flight and body shape.
Is a japanese beetle or a green june beetle more dangerous?
Japanese beetle: Non-toxic. Green June beetle: Non-toxic. Japanese beetles are not poisonous and do not pose a medical threat. Cotinis nitida is not venomous and does not pose a medical threat.
Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.