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Glite Dictionary
Popillia japonica

Popillia japonica

9.9
A small green and brown beetle from eastern Asia that eats garden plants
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Popillia japonica
  • The Popillia japonica has caused extensive damage to rose bushes in the area.

Examples

  • Gardeners are advised to monitor their plants for signs of Popillia japonica infestation.

  • Researchers have developed traps to control the spread of Popillia japonica in agricultural fields.

  • The Popillia japonica is known for its distinctive metallic sheen.

  • Farmers are concerned about the Popillia japonica invading their crops.

  • Gardeners are advised to monitor their plants for signs of Popillia japonica infestation.

  • Researchers have developed traps to control the spread of Popillia japonica in agricultural fields.

  • The Popillia japonica has caused extensive damage to rose bushes in the area.

Synonyms

Japanese beetle
vsPopillia japonica
  • US
1 6.1

A small green and brown insect that eats leaves and harms garden plants

is the formal scientific name used in research and official reports

Surface Forms

Popillia japonica singular
Popillia japonicas plural

Morphology

Popillia + japonica

This is a standard Latin binomial combining the genus name Popillia (a beetle genus) with the epithet japonica (meaning “of Japan”); a learner who knows both constituents can infer it denotes the Japanese species of Popillia, i.e. a beetle. Taxonomic naming is compositional and cross-linguistically consistent, so the overall meaning is directly derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Popillia japonica is a Latin-style scientific name: japonica means 'from Japan' and Popillia is the group name scientists use for this kind of beetle. So the name gives a simple picture — a beetle from Japan — which helps you remember it is the small green-brown insect that now damages plants in many places.