June Bug (also known as May Beetle)

Scientific Name: Phyllophaga spp.

Order & Family: Coleoptera; Scarabaeidae

Size: 12 mm to 25 mm (0.5 to 1.0 inch) in length

June Bug (also known as May Beetle)

Natural Habitat

Found in lawns, gardens, and near deciduous trees across North America; commonly attracted to artificial porch lights at night.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on the foliage of trees and shrubs; larvae (white grubs) live underground and feed on the roots of grasses and ornamental plants.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal insects that are active in late spring and early summer. They are clumsy flyers and are frequently seen bumping into windows or lights. They undergo complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans as they do not bite or sting. However, the larvae can be significant agricultural and lawn pests by damaging root systems. They serve as a food source for birds, skunks, and other wildlife.

Identified on: 7/1/2026