There is no specific literature that addresses this but I would assume the beetles not to be a significant problem with abelia.......they tend not to favor plants with tougher. thicker evergreen foliage.

never bother mine. they love a rose best of all in my observations and, if none are around, will go for my Japanese maples. 'sir thomas lipton' is a good one that i used to grow before the beetles arrived. it never needed spraying but the leaf-cutter bees preferred it over any of the others i had. they made perfectly shaped circles in the foliage but I did not mind that type of "damage".

I've never seen them bother Abelia mosenensis.

Abelia mosenensis isn't evergreen but it is nice to hear that japanese beetles don't bother the species. Sweet Emotion grows as large as the species...6- 7' tall and 8-9' wide. It's not a small shrub....

I’ve grown various types of Abelias for 20+ yrs, have never had Japanese Beetles on one ... even when they were near a crape that had a beetle infestation one year. They’re wonderful shrubs — pretty and such easy keepers.

I just planted Twist of Lime this week, have never had this variety. I’m excited to see the color changes. :)

Abelia, as in Abelia x Grandiflora? If so, I have found that the flowers do attract some beetles (sometimes large ones), but they do not eat the foliage or flowers of the shrub.

Thanks to all who commented on my question. You have put my mind at ease about planting an Abelia. It is too bad the beetle situation has come to this but I would rather switch than fight, especially since the battle cannot be won.

Abelias are nice shrubs. I finally got a kaliedescope abelia last fall, it's starting to grow new foliage now. I still need 'Confetti', though! Lots of nice cultivars to choose from!

I believe mosanensis is the only Abelia hardy into zone 5. I have a couple straight species plants up near the house (photo of flowers below). Nice fragrance and attractive to pollinators including hummingbirds. Haven't seen very good fall color on mine, could be related to the soil conditions at that spot (tends to be quite dry by late summer/fall). Haven't noticed any significant pest issues either, although I've heard that deer and/or rabbits can sometimes do some damage.

My A. mosanensis colors nicely most years...yellow, orange, & red. Last year was an exception, not just for the Abelia, thanks to the warm weather into November followed immediately by winter.