These 'clumsy' beetles sometimes end up stuck in your hair. What to know about June bugs

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4 days ago

Clumsy, large and, perhaps, mysterious beetles are once again active in Michigan: the June bug.
"The term May or June beetles refers to some 10 different species of beetles in the genus Phyllophaga, that are known to injure turfgrass," Michigan State University's extension on integrated pest management said. "Eggs are laid, and hatch in June to early July."
In Michigan, these beetles can be found in both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Their bodies can appear brown, black, tan or chestnut. They range from 0.5 to 1 inch long, according to MSU's Extension.
While June (or July) bugs are harmless to people and are nocturnal insects, more than one person has been slightly traumatized when the clumsy bugs got stuck in their hair or on their clothes.
Around the middle of summer, female June bugs lay eggs underground, then after a lengthy development period the new beetles emerge when the weather is warm.
As June bugs keep flying around in July, here's what to know in Michigan:
What do June bugs look like in Michigan?
June bugs are a collective name given to scarab beetles in the Melolonthinae subfamily of beetles.
A June bugs life cycle takes place mostly underground. For a couple weeks around mid-summer, females lay eggs. Their larvae eventually hatch into white grubs and remain underground for two to three years, according to MSU's Extension.
The grubs hibernate over the winter and molt twice, according to iNaturalist.org.
Once the grubs develop into their adult form, an oval-shaped beetle, they emerge from the ground when the weather is warm around late May or early June — then females mate, lay eggs and the cycle repeats.
"The exact timing of their emergence can vary based on geographical location and specific weather conditions," according to Mr. Buggs, a pest control company based in Alabama.
Are June bugs dangerous?
No, June bugs are not dangerous. They come out at night and are drawn to lights.
They can cause damage to plants from underground by eating the roots causing the plants to wilt prematurely.
To keep June bugs away from your house or backyard, Garrety Home Pros (a northeastern homeowners service) recommends these tips:
Make a natural June bug trap, by mixing molasses with water in a container with a funnel neck.
Introduce nematodes, June bug larvae are nutritional and essential for soil worms called nematodes to thrive. They provide a natural alternative to eradicating larvae populations.
Create a bird-friendly environment, natural predators to June bugs, that will attract them to your lawn or garden.
Keep a clean porch and lawn, June bugs and other insects prefer to hide while they search for food.
Replace your porch lights or turn them off. LED lights may be efficient enough to mislead the bugs since orange or yellow bulbs fall outside their detectable light sensory scope.
What do June bugs eat?
Adult June bugs are called chafers because they eat leaves and flowers of trees and shrubs — they have gained a reputation for ruining gardens and being a nuisance especially in groups, according to iNaturalist.org.
The larvae feed on the roots of grasses and other plants as they develop underground.
Why do June bugs crash into everything?
June bugs have large wings and heavy bodies, which make them poor flyers. They can only fly for short periods of time and take breaks oftentimes flipped over, Plunkett's Pest Control explained.
What is the difference between a Japanese beetle and a june bug?
Similar in appearance and life cycle, Japanese beetles and the June bugs get confused with each other, but they are different species.
The Japanese beetle is native to Japan and an invasive species in the U.S. They have metallic green bodies and brown wings. Similar to June bugs, they develop underground and eat plants, granting them the reputation of ruining gardens or crops, according to the National Invasive Species Information Center.
Japanese beetles often can be seen flying around trees in groups.
In Michigan, Japanese beetles are widespread and sightings in the state are no longer mapped.
Contact Sarah Moore @ [e-mail]
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Summer in Michigan means June bugs. What to know about the clumsy beetles
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