Asiatic Garden Beetle (Maladera formosae)

Scientific Name:
In the scientific world, this beetle is known as Maladera formosae, and it was formerly known as Maladera castanea. In English, they are commonly referred to as the Asiatic garden beetle.
Family and Genus:
According to the classification of the animal kingdom, it belongs to the family Scarabaeidae. It is a recognized species under the genus Maladera.

Origin and Habitat:
They are native to Japan, China, Taiwan, South Korea, North Korea, and Russia, but were introduced to North America in the 1920s. They are considered pests of turfs, gardens, and crop fields.

Food:
Adult beetles feed predominantly on the foliage and flowers of over 100 different plant species. Their larvae, referred to as white grubs, feed on plant roots and decaying plant material.

Reproduction:
After mating in July or August, females lay groups of eggs in moist, sandy soils near host plants. Eggs hatch within 10 days, and the larvae go through instars and pupation before emerging as adults.

Benefits:
They play a role in the natural ecosystem as part of the food chain, though they are primarily recognized as agricultural pests rather than beneficial insects.

Harmful Aspects:
They are significant pests whose larvae damage plant roots and crops like corn, soybeans, and strawberries. Adult beetles can also defoliate field crops and ornamentals during their nighttime feeding.

I learned about them from various sites including iNaturalist, Wikipedia and Google.

_{​(All posts are written in Bengali and translated into English using Google Translate.)}

Camera Used	Samsung SM-G973F
F-Stop	F2.4
ISO speed	ISO
Focal length	26mm
Flash	No
Editing app	Lightroom
Photography	(Maladera formosae)
Photographer	@mshbd
Location	Natore, Bangladesh