
Community identification
Ten-lined June Beetle
Polyphylla decemlineata
- Order & Family
- Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae
- Size
- 20 mm to 35 mm (0.8 to 1.4 inches)
Natural Habitat
Coniferous forests and sandy-soil areas throughout western North America
Diet & Feeding
Adults feed on the needles of coniferous trees; larvae (grubs) live underground and feed on the roots of shrubs and trees.
Behavior Patterns
They are nocturnal and strongly attracted to artificial lights; when disturbed or picked up, they can produce a distinct hissing sound by rubbing their abdomen against their wing covers.
Risks & Benefits
They are harmless to humans and cannot bite or sting; while they can be minor agricultural pests due to root damage from larvae, they serve as a food source for birds and small mammals.