In the summertime, you may be on the lookout for biting or stinging insects like fire ants, yellowjackets or mosquitoes that make spending time outdoors less than enjoyable. However, these warm-weather pests arent the only ones that make you want to stay indoors. Late spring or early summer is when June bugs make their appearance. While they dont bite or infest your home, June bugs can do a number on your yard or garden, so most homeowners want to know what they can do to get rid of them.
June bugs, also known as June beetles or May bugs, are a common pest for gardeners and farmers, as their larvae present a huge problem for plants and lawns. They get their name because they tend to show up in June in North America. There are around 260 different types of June bugs that each pose a different kind of threat, but these are the two most common types that may cross your path:
Common June Bug Common June bugs can range in length from 12 to 35 millimeters and in color from blackish to mahogany. They have no markings and have a hairy texture on their under-bodies. While the adult bugs enjoy feasting on fruits, vegetables and lush foliage, the larvae cause the most damage because they commonly eat the roots of backyard plants and lawns, leaving brown patches and decimated leaves in their wake. June bugs rest during the day and take flight in the evening. They are attracted to light, so homeowners should keep their windows closed in May and June to prevent the bugs from intruding. Luckily, these bugs are harmless and will not bite you or your pets, so its not a big deal if they do get in.
Green June Beetle The green June beetle is another common beetle active during the summer. This beetle is slightly smaller than the June bug, measuring 15 to 22 millimeters, and most of its body is a shiny green color, giving it a very bright and noticeable appearance. The green June beetle is most commonly found on the eastern U.S. coast, from Georgia up to Maine. These pests will feed on fruits and berries, which can be detrimental to farmers and home gardeners. Like the Common June Bug, Green June Beetle larvae will also nibble on your lawn or turf grass, posing another threat to your backyard. If you have a green June bug issue, it may be time to explore some pesticide options.
Life Cycle When dealing with the different types of June bugs, it helps to understand their life cycle. Both the June bug and green June beetle have similar life cycles. The female will lay between 60 and 75 eggs underground during a two-week period in the mid-summer months. After around 18 days, the eggs will hatch, and the grubs emerge. These grubs are white and have a brown-black head.
The larval stage lasts around 9 to 10 months and ends with the larvae pupating. These larvae will feed on the roots of plants, proving to be a massive nuisance to farmers and gardeners. The pupal stage lasts for three weeks, after which the pupa will begin transforming into its adult form. This stage is when June bugs take on their usual shape and reddish-brown or metallic green color. The adults will eventually appear when the weather is at its hottest to will feed on foliage and fruits.
While you may find June bugs annoying when they swarm your outdoor lights and munch on your plants, they are actually an important food source for other wildlife. Lizards, birds, frogs and rodents enjoy crunching on these pests, and having these other animals around can also help control other summertime insects.
If you notice a June bug or green June beetle infestation in your backyard, dont wait for the problem to go away on its own. Since most of these insects life cycles occur underground, it will be quite difficult to exterminate the population by yourself. If youre tired of seeing beetles in your backyard and dealing with the destruction they cause, contact MosquitoNix®. We have extensive experience removing beetles and other summer pests from your home and yard. Contact our professional customer service team to learn more about our services and to receive a free cost estimate.
Hundreds of different species of June bugs
June bugs belong to the Phyllophaga genus, which is named after the Greek words phyllon (leaf) and phaga (eat). This name accurately describes the adult’s feeding behavior on plant leaves.
There are more than 800 species of June bugs known to science and more are discovered every year. Adult beetles are usually blackish or reddish brown in colour, and tend to be very hairy on their fronts. While June bug species have many external similarities, their genitalia are very distinctive with the male organs resembling a scoop, a claw or a fork. Taxonomists often confirm the identity of the species, or describe new species, by carefully examining the genitalia.
June bug grubs live below ground for years
You are looking at a mature adult when you see a June bug flying or crawling around. June bugs grow through a process known as “holometabolous development,” just like moths and butterflies do. They go through several phases, including the egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Similar to butterflies, adult June bugs exhibit entirely different appearances and behaviors from their larval forms.
June bugs begin life as pearl-like eggs deposited in the ground. Every egg develops into a c-shaped larva called a white grub. White grubs damage plant roots by eating them and preventing water and nutrients from being absorbed and transported.
In high densities, June bugs can be serious pests of ornamental and agricultural plants, lawns and golf courses. Larvae spend at least a year in the soil, and in some cases take as much as four to five years to reach maturity.
The larva transforms into a pupa in late spring, and subsequently into an adult beetle. With wings and mature gonads for reproduction, June bugs will rise from the earth and fly into the night in search of food, a partner, and procreationthereby restarting the cycle.
Don’t wait for the June bug or green June beetle infestation in your backyard to go away on its own. Since the majority of these insects have underground life cycles, it will be challenging to completely eradicate the population on your own. Get in touch with MosquitoNix® if you’re sick of dealing with the damage that beetles cause in your backyard. We have a lot of experience ridding your house and yard of beetles and other summertime pests. For more information about our offerings and to obtain a free cost estimate, get in touch with our friendly customer support staff.
Even though June bugs can be bothersome when they swarm your outdoor lights and eat your plants, they serve as a vital food source for other wildlife. These pests are tasty to lizards, birds, frogs, and rodents, and having them around can also help control other summertime insects.
Another common beetle that is active in the summer is the green June beetle. Measuring 15 to 22 millimeters, this beetle is marginally smaller than the June bug. Its shiny green body gives it a strikingly bright appearance. Most frequently found in the eastern United States is the green June beetle. S. coast, from Georgia up to Maine. These pests can be harmful to home gardeners and farmers because they feed on fruits and berries. Larvae of the Green June Beetle will graze on your turf grass or lawn, much like the Common June Bug, which presents another risk to your backyard. If you’re having problems with green June bugs, it might be time to look into pesticide alternatives.
Because of the severe damage that their larvae cause to plants and lawns, June bugs, also referred to as June beetles or May bugs, are a common pest for farmers and gardeners. Their name comes from the fact that they are typically seen in June in North America. Though there are about 260 varieties of June bugs, each posing a unique threat, these are the two most prevalent varieties that could come into contact with you:
Summertime brings with it the possibility of biting or stinging insects such as fire ants, yellowjackets, or mosquitoes, which can make outdoor activities less than pleasurable. Still, there are other pests that make you want to stay inside during the warmer months. The June bugs appear in late spring or early summer. Although June bugs don’t bite or infest homes, they can cause a lot of damage to gardens and yards, so most homeowners want to know how to get rid of them.
FAQ
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