Japanese beetles are broadly oval, 12 mm long, metallic green and coppery, with small tufts of white hair both behind and on each side of the elytra (fig. 10). Prevalent in some Atlantic Coast States, they emerge from May to July and live for 30 to 45 days. They feed on over 300 plant species and devour sycamore leaf tissue between the veins, commonly leaving only a lacelike network of veins. They may completely defoliate seedlings and young trees. A milky disease bacterium, Bacillus popilliae Dutky, is commercially available to control the larval stage in the soil. Chemical control of adults may be needed.

Adults are pale yellowish, elongated softbodied true bugs, 3 to 5 mm long, with piercing-sucking mouthparts (fig. 11). Nymphs resemble the adults but are wingless. These bugs occur over much of Eastem North America. Overwintering eggs, embedded in twig tissue below leaf buds, hatch in April. Nymphs and adults (both present until July) feed on tender leaves, causing tiny irregular brown spots that often fall out, leaving a ragged and tattered leaf (fig. 11). There is one generation per year. Direct controls may be needed to protect high-value trees.