Friend or foe?

[lindainthegarden]

I've seen a few of these guys in the garden. They fly and are about the size of the nail on my little finger. The picture makes them look more yellow than they are, in person they look brown with black markings. I haven't noticed any chomping or other bad behavior (this guy sat on my lacinto kale for about an hour before I snapped the picture), but I would rather prevent problems than treat them!

Thanks much! --Linda

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[JenniferG]

My guess is an oriental beetle. I don't really know anything about them, and haven't seen them in person, but if you google them, it looks the same to me.

[lindainthegarden]

Thanks, JenniferG!! I had just about given up on identifying this beetle. From a quick internet search it sounds like they can cause some trouble like the Japanese beetles.

Best,
Linda

[Kisal]

Yes, it's a scarab beetle, just like the Japanese beetle. You can tell by the clubbed tips on the antennae. Yours looks like Anomala orientalis to me.

[lindainthegarden]

Thanks for the clarification! I am new to bug identification, so didn't even know there was such a thing as clubbed tipped antennae! I should also admit that my previous search for this beetle via google images resulted in my getting so grossed out after looking through about 8-10 pages of disturbingly ugly bugs that I would abandon my search until I could once more steel my nerves (and stomach) to have another go at it.