The good news: they are harmless to people and pets. June bugs don't bite, sting, or spread disease. The bad news: adult June bugs feed on trees and shrubs, and can cause quite a bit of damage to your landscaping. Even more harmful are the grubs, who live underground and feed on your plant roots, harming plants.

Can a June beetle bite?

While above ground, a June bug is really interested in only two things — eating and making more June bugs. “Actually, they don't even eat that much as adults,” Fish said. “All they really do is come out, mate and lay eggs. ... Native to Maine, June bugs are harmless to humans and don't bite.

Can a green beetle bite?

Gardeners often encounter unique and colorful insects in their gardens. They don't sting or bite and are not dangerous to humans, but they are not a 'nice bug'. ... The adults are sometimes called 'Fig-eater Beetles' because they love the soft and easy to break skin of figs.

Are green June bugs harmful?

Yes, the Green June beetles are harmful. They destroy and feed on fruit, turfgrass, soil, plants, nuts, and many other forms of vegetation. Once the eggs hatch, the Green June beetle grub is even more destructive and becomes a real problem.

Can a June bug hurt you?

June Bugs are completely harmless to humans and animals. Bites, disease, and stings are nothing to worry about, as these little pests don't inflict any of them. Bad news for the proud yard owners, adult June Bugs are harmful towards your trees, lawn, and other plants.

Is the Green June Beetle a Garden Pest?

37 related questions found

Is it safe to touch a June bug?

June Bugs are not poisonous. Nor do they bite or sting. These seasonal bugs are annoying, but they're largely harmless to humans and animals.

Why are June bugs so bad?

The bad news: adult June bugs feed on trees and shrubs, and can cause quite a bit of damage to your landscaping. Even more harmful are the grubs, who live underground and feed on your plant roots, harming plants.

Do Figeater beetles bite humans?

Have no fear, Figeaters are very docile and don't bite humans. On the contrary, Figeaters are only attracted to sweets and enjoy sugary sap and ripe fruit which is how they got their name.

Do June beetles fly?

After making their way above ground, adult June bugs are fully capable of flight and begin searching for food. They primarily feed on the leaves of your plants and trees.

Is a June bug blind?

No. Many people confuse June bugs as being blind because they constantly bump into things when flying or walking. They are just naturally clumsy organisms.

Can you eat June bugs?

They're a bit salty to eat as a finger food, but they make a great addition to soups or grilled and set atop some wild rice and vegetables. June bugs are a member of the scarab beetle family (which might make for a more interesting name). They're considered a pest which makes them a perfect edible insect.

What happens if a beetle bites you?

When the bite happens, the beetle releases a chemical substance that can cause the skin to blister. The blister usually heals within a few days and causes no permanent damage. ... A bite from this type of beetle may cause considerable pain that could last up to a day or two.

Are June bugs poisonous to dogs?

June Bugs Can be A Slight Concern for Dogs

June bugs are common in Oklahoma, and while they aren't toxic or harmful to dogs, consuming several may upset a dog's gastrointestinal tract and lead to vomiting or diarrhea.

What are June beetles good for?

In the process of foraging for June bug larvae, animals often dig up soil, damaging crops, gardens, lawns and golf greens in the process. Aside from vertebrate predators, June bugs are an important food source for many other insects.

Do June bugs bite cats?

June Bug Availability

Their sometimes frenzied activity attracts pets to them. Dogs and cats may chase the bugs for fun and eat them as an afterthought. The bugs don't typically present a hazard in terms of biting, stinging or scratching; on their own, they are not dangerous to ingest.

Do May bugs bite?

So, when you next see a May bug, doodlebug, chovy or Billy witch, remember – however alarming it may look, it isn't a cockroach, it isn't going to sting you, and while it may do some damage to your garden, it won't harm you.

Why do June bugs flip over?

Ingesting pesticides and insecticides such as bug spray disrupts the bug's neurotransmitters and shuts down its nervous system. ... With its nervous system compromised and its coordination declining, the bug lacks the ability to synchronize all of its legs in order to roll over onto its side and stand back up.

What are June bugs attracted to?

Even though the June Bug is nocturnal, it is attracted to bright lights. They will gather around security lights, well-lit windows and porch lights. This over exposure to light is believed to sometimes kill the June Bug and they are very often found lying dead the next day under lights and brightly lit windows.

Do June bugs make noise?

They can make a hissing sound when touched or otherwise disturbed, which can resemble the hissing of a bat. This sound is made by their wings pushing down, forcing the air out between their wings and back.

Are Figeater beetle harmful?

Figeater beetles are generally harmless and actually quite attractive. Many people don't mind their presence in the garden, but due to their clumsy air-raid flight habits and loud buzzing, they may wear out their welcome in a hurry. In large numbers, they can do more serious damage.

Why do green June beetles follow me?

The beetles seek turfgrass with high levels of organic matter (e.g. thatch) in which to lay eggs. It has been speculated that this attraction to decomposing organic matter explains why large numbers of adults will cruise above certain lawns while ignoring neighboring lawns.

What are green beetles attracted to?

The green fruit beetle (scarab, family Scarabaeidae), is also called a figeater beetle, green fig beetle, or western green June beetle. The adults are an occasional pest of ripe fruits. Adults can fly a relatively long distance and are highly attracted to ripe fruit and the odors of manure and fermenting fruit.

How long do June bugs live?

Even though their life cycle typically takes three years, June bugs live for less than one year as adults. They emerge in May and June to lay their eggs, and they die at the end of summer. They can die even sooner if they are affected by the waved light fly. This fly is a natural predator of the adult June bug.

How do I keep June bugs away?

Firstly, you can try encouraging June bug predators, such as birds, by setting up birdbaths in your garden. Birds love to eat the beetles and their presence may even discourage beetle populations. Alternatively, you can sprinkle diatomaceous earth (DE) around your yard or patio to keep June bugs away.

Why are June bugs dead in the morning?

Exposure to light for longer intervals is responsible for killing June bugs. They are usually found dead in the morning under porch lights and windows. ... The grubs feed on the roots of grass and plants, whereas, the adult bug feeds on the foliage of trees and shrubs.