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Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
These 'clumsy' beetles sometimes end up stuck in your hair. What to know about June bugs
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 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 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 @ smoore@ This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Summer in Michigan means June bugs. What to know about the clumsy beetles Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What to know about June bugs and how they threaten Tennessee plants, lawns and screens
The first round of June bugs is making its way into Middle Tennessee, and while the little beetle with the cute summer name might seem every bit as adorable as said name might imply, it can bring destruction to plants and lawns, windows and porch screens. The bugs emerge from the soil as temperatures warm, and they're weak flyers, often crashing into windows and porch screens, lending them a "screen thumpers" nickname, according to Midhula Gireesh, assistant professor and extension specialist for the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology for the University of Tennessee Central District. The nocturnal insect is also known as the scarab beetle and is between one-half to an inch long. Beetles in the genus Phyllophaga are known as June bugs. Gireesh said they are also known as May or June beetles. Adult beetles are commonly seen flying toward light during late spring and early summer evenings. "The color of June bugs varies from reddish-brown to almost black... Depending on the species, June bugs have a life cycle of 1-2 years," Gireesh said. The emerging larvae of June bugs are known as white grubs. It's not completely clear how the well-known moniker came about, but it's likely connected to the fact that adult June bugs 'emerge from the soil at the end of spring or the beginning of the summer,' according to Terminix, a pest control service. They spend most of their lives underground, in the soil feeding on grass roots, much like cicadas, another bug inundating Middle Tennessee, until they emerge to feed on greenery and hang out by nearby light sources, especially during evening or nighttime hours. A June bug's larval stages can be the most destructive to a person's lawn and plants, Gireesh said, noting that feeding results in a yellowing or browning of vegetation, much like one would see during drought-like conditions. "Heavy infestations can make the ground spongy to the step. More damage occurs when predators like moles, birds, skunks, raccoons or armadillos dig up the turf when hunting for the grubs," Gireesh said. A small number of June bugs can be beneficial to lawns, much like cicadas, because they tunnel into the ground to create soil aeration, Gireesh said. "Excessive tunneling eventually damages the law by breaking the bond between plant roots and soil," Gireesh said. "This makes it challenging for the turf to receive water and nutrients, resulting in serious damage." Before mitigation tactics are discussed, it's best to make sure there is actually a June bug infestation. Damage to turf grass and dead grass patches are a tell-tale sign that baby June bugs have been munching on the greenery in a yard or garden, Good Housekeeping reports. A local pest control company can help control the population. Deterrent sprays, an electric light that targets insects, or commercial beetle traps are also available for do-it-yourselfers. "The best way to prevent June bugs from devouring your lawn is by '"making it inhospitable to their larvae,"' according to Terminix. "You can help maintain a healthy lawn by overseeding thinned-out areas of your turf." USA TODAY reporter Amaris Encinas contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How June bugs could damage your plants, soil and screens
