June Bugs

Have you ever seen a metallic green bug buzzing around in the summertime? You were probably looking at a June bug. June bugs get their name because they emerge as adults at the beginning of summer. It takes a year for a June bug to complete its full life cycle.

A June bug is an insect with six legs and is usually about 15 to 22 cm long. It has a dull, metallic-green body with wings. Its underside is light brown or black. The June bug is part of the beetle (coleopteran) family. This beetle can be found all over the United States, but it is prominent in the northeastern states. The beetle loves to feed on ripening fruit. They will gather in clusters and eat ripened apples, peaches, pears, or any other fruit. When the beetle is still a grub, it will feed on decaying matter, grass, and other plants. These grubs will also go underground to eat plants such as sweet potatoes and carrots.

In the past, a fun summer activity for many children was to catch June bugs. Children would tie a string to one of the legs and then let the June bug fly around while holding the string. This provided hours of entertainment for children. Some children still participate in this activity today.