These beautifully iridescent beetles were accidentally introduced into this country in 1916. In 1933 government entomologists isolated a bacteria called milky spore disease that produces a fatal blood disease in this grub. It brings about an abnormal white coloring in the infected insects. We don't have Japanese beetles in Texas, and the milky spore disease does not seem to work on our pest grubs. Beneficial nematodes will also help to control them. See June Beetle.