Ten-lined June Beetle

Natural Habitat

Found throughout western North America in forests, fields, and gardens, particularly in areas with sandy soil.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on the foliage of trees (primarily conifers), while larvae (grubs) live underground and eat the roots of various plants and shrubs.

Behavior Patterns

They are nocturnal and attracted to artificial lights; when disturbed or handled, they produce a distinctive hissing sound by rubbing their abdomen against their wings.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans; while they are considered minor agricultural pests due to root damage caused by larvae, they also serve as a food source for birds and small mammals.

Identified on: 5/22/2026