Bug Identifier
June Bug (specifically a May-June Beetle)
Community identification

June Bug (specifically a May-June Beetle)

Phyllophaga species

Order & Family
Coleoptera; Scarabaeidae
Size
12 mm to 25 mm (0.5 to 1.0 inch) in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found in lawns, gardens, and woodlands throughout North America. Often seen around porch lights at night.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on the foliage of trees and shrubs; larvae (grubs) live underground and eat the roots of grasses and seedlings.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal insects that are highly attracted to artificial light. They have a clumsy, buzzing flight pattern. The life cycle involves a 1-3 year larval stage under the soil before emerging as adults in late spring or early summer.

Risks & Benefits

They are harmless to humans as they do not bite or sting. However, the larvae can be significant pests to lawns and crops by destroying root systems. They serve as a vital food source for birds, skunks, and other wildlife.