These pests can be very naughty especially in large numbers. The larvae can decimate lawns and berry patches and kill small plants by eating their roots. Adults damage flowers. They are very similar to Japanese Beetles and European chafers. They were brought to the east coast in error through nursery stock from Japan and other Asian countries. They feed along the margin of leaves or consume entire leaves. Some people mistake the damage for slugs.
Controls include overwatering. Dry conditions help kill eggs, hence the lack of beetles in the dry western states. Do not apply pesticides to the soil because they kill naturally occurring milky spore disease organisms that can infect the beetle larvae and control them. You can apply beneficial nematodes to control the grub stage. Use insecticidal soap against adults. I prefer organic methods not chemicals so look for those instead.
The image to the left is the Strawberry Sap Beetle and the one on the left is the Asiatic Garden Beetle.
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