It is found in the eastern United States and Canada, where it is most abundant in the South. They are loud, they are big (often around an inch long), and they are everywhere right now. Adult fig beetles are attracted to ripe (especially overripe) fruit. A prominent example is the American pelecinid wasp. This prevents their presence as adults later. Their flight this year seems to be somewhat late because we see high numbers of the insect. Theyre usually attracted to the lights of houses and porches. While the beetle may not be clean, beetles do tend to be quite dirty. Well cover them now. You can cut out a small portion to get into the net so you can harvest your fruits. The sun shines with that lazy-afternoon-golden-California glow and the grass tickles my toes. These beetles prefer, The protection factor may be better than many of their insect kin. It has been introduced in Europe and the US. COMMON NAME: Green June Beetle, Fig Beetle, Green Fruit Beetle, Peach Beetle. They also have a small hair from their body. Homeowners sometimes find hundreds or thousands . You can control both species by physical as well as chemical means. Both bugs are scarab beetles, but figeaters and green June bugs belong to the subfamily Cetoniinae while the traditional June . So for that reason, many of those less than graceful landing sites will be our window screens. This isnt practical for large figeater populations. The scientific name of June bugs or May beetles is Phyllophaga sp. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This may lead to the death of some crops, such as almonds, peaches, plums, beans, potatoes, and cherries. A female Japanese beetle will lay anywhere between 40-60 eggs per season. The fig beetles will fly to the funnel because theyre attracted to the scent of the bait. On the other hand, June bugs are mostly nocturnal insects, which means that they are most active at night. Another beetle commonly referred to as the June bug or the Japanese beetle is the species of Popillia japonica. Use enter to activate. If fig beetles are causing problems in your lawn, maintaining healthy, thick turf is the best way to prevent damage by figeater beetles. The largest reported Japanese beetle was about 0.6. This means that the largest June bug is almost two times bigger than the largest Japanese beetle. The adult females will lay eggs in compost or mulch. Adults june bugs feed on soft-skinned fruit, tomatoes, and even corn during the milk stage. Those clingy legs may send a few shivers when they accidentally crash land on us but bite us they do not. This is a Fig-Eater or Green June Beetle, Cotinis nitida. The usually green beetle may also be blue or purple, or even have orange-red coloring. Fig beetles are also called figeater beetles or green fruit beetles, and are found throughout summer in the southwest (when the adults emerge from the larval stage). beneath the surface of the soil in late summer. Adult fig beetles will eat these food sources: They cant break apart or pierce fruits with tough skins, so they prefer softer fruits. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. And if you have any questions, ask me by leaving a comment. After all, the two species belong to the same family. I went to All-American June beetle larvae are considered excellent fish bait. Japanese beetles have a metallic green body and copper wings. Begin by mincing four cloves of garlic and marinating it overnight in a tablespoon of mineral oil. However, June bugs are far more reproductive with the ability to lay 50-200 eggs per season. "Home Gardener's Problem Solver"; Denny Schrock; 2004. These beetles prefer sandy soils; we have plenty of this in Effingham, making it easier to tunnel. These grubs will overwinter in the soil. There are two different types of white ferrets! A fig beetle is a type of scarab beetle found in Africa and Asia. So for that reason, many of those less than graceful landing sites will be our, June bugs often fall prey to a species of female fly that will lay. They are attracted to light. June bugs often fall prey to a species of female fly that will lay Green June Beetle. They also possess white hair on their sides. But If you just notice them eating your fig trees once in a while, this method works. This will only attract more pests. They are day-active, compact, big, noisy strong fliers, and often described as black. Japanese beetles eat the roots and leaves of about 300 different types of plants. Scarab Beetle Totem. Remember that you must consult a specialist before using any of the products or advice on the web. Adult fig beetles might fly from a distance to attack mature figs. You can also get rid of the June bug physically by installing bug traps to catch adults. They do not sting, bite or carry diseases that could affect human beings. Use up and down arrow keys to explore within a submenu. When fig beetles attack, it can be a harrowing experience. There are many DIY traps you can make at home, but the easiest one seems to be using jar traps. A May beetle or a June bug is an insect that seems to appear out of nowhere during late spring into early summer and disappears at the end of summer. It also has a width of about 0.5, which makes it highly conspicuous. Their burrows and mounds of pulverized soil can cause an unsightly appearance in turf. Dont do this. I called pest control who said they had no way to eradicate them. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases., The Best 5 Ways To Get Bees To Your Garden, Endless Summer Hydrangeas Ultimate Guide, Hibiscus Trees: Ultimate Tips To Growing Hibiscus Plants, 5 Tips to Keep Plants in a Garden Storage Shed Over, Furnace Maintenance Checklist: 7 Steps To Ensure Its in Good Working, Imalent MS03 EDC Flashlight: The Best-selling Palm-Sized 13000 Lumen Godzilla, The 19 Best Yeti Products On Amazon: Ultimate List, Butter Boards Take Next Big Food Trend? There are many beetles that share the June bug name, and they have many common attributes that make it easy for people to lump them together under that label. After all, you grew the fruits for yourself, not for the beetles, right? And why are there so many of these beetles around right now? Hornet vs Wasp How to Tell the Difference in 3 Easy Steps. . They are often mistaken for Green June Beetles (Cotinis nitida) and Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica).T he Figeaters are noticeable larger than June and Japanese Beetles, which are mostly confined to Eastern United States. It is sometimes confused with the related southwestern species figeater beetle Cotinis . As visually striking as these large beetles are, it is the fact that they are literally striking folks around L.A. that has our attention. Theyll appear in groups. Larvae emerge from the eggs after 18 days and become grubs, the most damaging phase to your lawn. Female June bugs produce about 50-200 eggs underground during mid-summer. G r e e n J u n e B e e t l e. It is at this grub stage that the June Beetle is not a gardeners pal. Without them, life, as we know it surely, would not exist. Numbers of Insects (Species and Individuals). They tend to feed on grassroots and other root vegetation, and if the garden hoe tends to be a bit heavy-handed on them, Mother Nature will probably look the other way. The only reason why you have these beetles in your yard in the first place is that theyre eating your fruits. June bugs, also known as May bugs or June beetles, are a group of scarab beetles that are distributed across North America. 2), but can be mistaken for the destructive and invasive brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys).Similarly, the six-spotted tiger beetle (Cicindela sexguttata) is a predatory ground beetle . 4) Milky disease bacteria. How do you recognize a May beetle and what separates it from a June bug? Many people find them tasty, and their protein is definitely good for your body. Many June. Dear Kelvin, Eggs are laid by the adults during the summer under pots or just under the soil surface and when the grubs hatch they burrow down and inch or two and spend the winter under the soil. The Japanese Beetle is much smaller (about 1/2" long, 12.7mm) and has a series of white dots along the outside edges of its body. You can harvest the larvae of these insects from the ground, and you can easily catch the adult June bugs when they get attracted to residential light. The gestation period of these eggs is two and a half weeks to four weeks after which the eggs hatch. Scarab Beetle. We answer this. Then add some bait to lure the fig eaters. The Japanese beetle ( Popillia japonica) is an imported beetle distinct from American June bugs. Add about 3 of bait to the bottom of the milk jug. You can secure the screen using super glue or tape. Even though both insects are of the same family, there is only one species of the Japanese beetle that gardeners and farmers have to deal with. Beetles have been around 230 million years. Encyclopedia Britannica (Retrieved on 19 November 2022), TEN LINED JUNE BEETLE. You can buy netting at most hardware stores for cheap in bulk. The adult beetles can feed on fruits such as apples, peaches, and figs. Adults visit flowers especially hollyhocks as well as ripening fruit. If the population is high enough in your yard, it could warrant controlling the pest. The Japanese beetle is metallic green with bronze wing covers. During this part of their life cycle, you can try to get other predators to eat the larvae. A greenish beetle nearly an inch in length , which flies with a loud buzzing sound , which sometimes eats the ripe fruit of the fig . Fig beetles lay their eggs beneath the soil, about 6 inches. Adult development usually requires 16 to 18 days. Meet the fig beetle. It has a satiny gloss that shines in the light. You can check out this article on June bugs to see if you can identify the difference and to ensure which pest youre dealing with. They walk and fly clumsily. The fig beetle, also known as the black carpet beetle, is a destructive pest that can quickly destroy a crop of figs. Disclaimer: Always consult with a qualified professional exterminator prior to beginning any pest control plan. The eggs hatch in about two weeks and survive by eating organic matter in the soil until winter. Cotinis nitida is a very large beetle (nearly 1", 90mm long) The image at left is a Japanese Beetle and it has a much different appearance than the June Beetle. One very interesting similarity between June bugs and Japanese beetles is that they are both edible to human beings. After hatching, the larvae can live for 2-3 years in the ground before surfacing to become an adult. You can do it physically or chemically. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Flood irrigation is often effective because the grubs cant survive in wet soil for more than a couple of days. I share handy DIY pest techniques I come across here to help out others (and possibly save them from a mental breakdown). If you follow the above tips, you should have better control of the grubs. Theyre very good at taking out the sap from trees and piercing into fruits to extract nectar. Unlike the East Coast beetles they are commonly mistaken for (green june beetles, Cotinis nitida, and Japanese beetles, Popillia japonica), fig . On the other hand, the Japanese beetle is sometimes mislabeled as a "June bug" based on similar looks and the same . Kelvin a large genus of New World scarab beetles. June bugs are good sources of protein for these animals both in adult form or larva stage. Sign up for our newsletter. The head and the thorax are greenish, and most of the elytra is bronze. The easiest method is to use repellents to keep them away from your figs in the first place. Dont use soils with high manure content. I may be able to help you out! Theyll approach 2 when fully grown. The beetles are eating a white milky sap that is oozing from the bark. And why are there so many of them? The fig beetles are a friendly bunch, and a helpful addition to our urban ecosystem. May Beetle vs June Bug: What are the Differences? Differences Between Elk, Reindeer, Moose and Caribou, Is Plant Food the Same as Fertilizer? Updated July 21, 2017. Adult figeater beetles lay their eggs 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm.) Skunks and moles also eat grubs. June Beetles, June Bugs, or May Beetles all refer to the same insect that appears in early spring through summer to feed on foliage and fruits. Read on for more information about the two insects, their diet, destructiveness, and means . Japanese beetles are probably only 1/3 to as big as the green June beetle. Although they lay more eggs, they cause less damage. Green fruit beetle: Also commonly known as the fig-eater, this June bug, in its adult form, likes to eat figs and other ripe, soft fruits, such as plums . Among them, the beetles (Coleoptera) are the richest in terms of diversity in the US alone, there are nearly 24,000 species! Some other names for fig beetles are the figeater beetle, green fruit beetle, crawly backs, or green beetle. Figeater beetles mainly come out during the day and will fly around to a shaded area in a tree to eat. thanks. You can also create bug traps. Cotinis nitida. Birds such as robins and cardinals can be the number one predators of these beetles.