What do june bugs eat

For a brief period each summer, the adults are common and abundant across many parts of their range. June bugs are attracted to light, which means we often encounter them at windows and streetlamps in early summer. Due to their large size and distinctive appearance, they are rather conspicuous among the millions of other insect species we share our world with. Whether you consider them friend, foe or a neutral party, here are some insights into these misunderstood creatures to celebrate the advent of June bug season.

June bugs are found within the genus Phyllophaga , derived from the Greek phyllon leaf and phaga eat. There are more than species of June bugs known to science and more are discovered every year. Adult beetles are usually blackish or reddish brown in colour, and tend to be very hairy on their fronts.

While June bug species have many external similarities, their genitalia are very distinctive — with the male organs resembling a scoop, a claw or a fork. Taxonomists often confirm the identity of the species, or describe new species, by carefully examining the genitalia. When you encounter a June bug flying or crawling about, you are looking at a full-grown adult.

Just as with butterflies, adult June bugs look and behave completely different from the larvae. June bugs are a common pest for gardeners and farmers alike with preferences of host plants differing between the type of June bug. One thing that all June bugs do have in common is that the larvae present the biggest problem to plants and lawns.

Grubs will feed on turf roots, causing large patches of dead grass on lawns. They will also feed on root systems of plants without much discrimination on the type of plant they eat. Tenlined June beetle: The adult feeds on large leaves and some conifer bushes. They are common pests on almond and apple trees as well as roses, corn, strawberries, and potatoes Washington State University.

European Chafer beetle: This type of June bug predominantly causes damage to lawns. The grubs are particularly harmful when rainfall is low and new roots cannot grow to replace old damaged ones.

The grubs will feed on grass roots, causing large areas of dead lawns. The grubs feed heavily on the roots of turf while the adult feeds on soft-skinned fruits.

Japanese beetle: This type of June bug is a pest during both its larval and adult stages. While the grubs feed on roots, the adults feast on a wide variety of over crops and flowers. They are known to prefer raspberries, grapes, beans, and roses. Common June bug: The common June bug is primarily found eating the foliage of leafy plants as well as maize, corn, and walnut and oak trees.

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 and peaches. The damage caused to lawns presents itself as dead patches of brown grass.

If the grub infestation is severe, entire lawns of dried, brown grass can be seen. Symptoms of a grub infestation will be at its worst if the ground is not moist as new roots will not have the opportunity to grow to replace the roots eaten by the grubs, making the damage all the more evident. Damage to lawns can also be caused by skunks and raccoons while they are trying to find grubs to eat.

They can claw at the soil, digging up patches of turf, and leaving mounds behind in the search for their meal. Damage to foliage or fruit and vegetables caused by the adult June bug will look like holes of various sizes. Depending on the size of the infestation, June bugs can completely skeletonize a leaf or plant.

Damage to crops will show clearly nibbled holes in the flesh of fruits or vegetables. They are primarily active at night and hide under leaves or in the bark of trees during the day.

This is what makes it seem as though they suddenly disappear — that is until the next summer, when the cycle begins again. June Bugs: Where do they come from, where do they go?

June 21, June Bug Eggs June bugs begin their life cycle as eggs. June Bug Larvae June bug larvae are small white grubs with brown heads. June Bug Pupae June bug pupae start out a dark brown color and gradually lighten and take on an iridescent tone as they mature. Adult June Bugs After making their way above ground, adult June bugs are fully capable of flight and begin searching for food. The eggs only need two to three weeks to mature.

They then hatch and come up out of the soil during the summer when food is most plentiful. This is the first of three instar stages, in which the larvae grow and shed their skin to accommodate their increasing size. June bug larvae, or grubs, feed on decomposing organic matter and roots, killing plants from the bottom up. In the second instar stage, June bug larvae are their most destructive, requiring larger quantities of food to support their growth.

During the winter, the larvae will burrow several inches below the surface in order to avoid freezing. Depending on the species of June bug, the larvae will then pupate in preparation for adulthood. Some species of June bug only require a year in the larval stage, while others remain in the larval stage for up to three years.

Upon entering adulthood, June bugs are free to move beyond the roots and grass they were previously feeding on and attack other nearby plants. Adult beetles will become active during the late spring and will remain so until mid to late summer. June Bugs are usually inactive during the day. During the evenings, they become more active and are drawn to light sources. The most common kinds of June bug range from half an inch to an inch in length.

They are reddish-brown and have shiny wings. Though tiny creatures, their bodies can be described as heavy and oval-shaped. While the different types of June bug are all very similar, they do have some differences worth noting. The Common June bug is the type that most closely matches the above description. These bugs, often called May beetles, are reddish-brown and are between one-half and one inch long.

They sport the same hard, shiny wing covers. They measure just about a half-inch and love to burrow out in turf and lawns.