Popillia Japonica

I spent part of a summer troubled by the arrival of huge swarms of Popillia japonicas (aka Japanese beetles), followed by amazement at what they left behind - delicate, lacy leaves as well as their own multi-hued, iridescent bodies. Curious, I learn that this species, invasive to North America, so easily thrives here because the abundance of cultivated turf provides the perfect winter breeding ground and natural predators, such as starlings, are discouraged in our cultivated landscapes. Efforts made to lure and trap them very likely attract more to an area so I did little to curtail their feeding frenzy, choosing instead to focus on the visuals. Images in this four page book are painted using a combination of gathered specimens, photographs and online images. Each painted image is backed with some of the visiting swarms lacy leavings.