# Common Green June Beetle (*Cotinis nitida*) The Common Green June Beetle is a shiny green insect that loves warm weather. It can often be seen flying around gardens and fields, where it munches on fruits and flowers. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 13 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Common Green June Beetle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Green_june_beetle2.jpg&width=800) Photo: Coveredinsevindust at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Green_june_beetle2.jpg) ## Appearance The Common Green June Beetle is a large, sturdy insect with a vibrant, metallic green body that shines in the sun, often featuring bronze or yellowish-tan edges on its wing covers. It has a broad, flattened shape and a fuzzy, golden-orange underside, distinguishing it from other scarab beetles. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Scarabaeidae - **Genus:** Cotinis ## Interesting facts - Before flying, they often lie on their back and spin around to get enough momentum to launch into the air! - Their grubs, or larvae, are unique because they crawl on their backs, not their bellies, to move faster! - When startled, they sometimes play dead by flipping over and staying perfectly still until the danger passes! - Wow! Unlike most beetles, they fly with their hardened wing covers \*closed\*, making them super aerodynamic! ## Special abilities - **Aero-Glide:** Common Green June Beetle can perform unique low-altitude flights because of their fast-beating wings that allow them to fly without lifting their wing covers. - **Exoskeleton Armor:** Common Green June Beetle has a tough, iridescent green exoskeleton that helps protect them from predators and accidental impacts. - **Soil Scavenger (Larvae):** Common Green June Beetle larvae can efficiently break down decaying organic matter because of their strong mandibles that help enrich soil. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-50 mm - **Size:** 15-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 12 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These beetles feast on sweet ripe fruits and plant sap as adults, while their larvae munch on decaying organic matter and roots. - **Age differences:** Yes, larvae consume decaying organic matter and roots underground, while adults primarily feed on ripe fruits and plant sap. - **Primary Foods:** Ripe Peaches, Berries, Plant Sap, Decaying Leaves, Grass Roots - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Peach (*Prunus persica*) — Adult beetles feed on ripe peach fruits, causing damage. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Blue Jays are common avian predators that hunt these beetles. - **Hunts:** [Red Imported Fire Ant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-imported-fire-ant) (*Solenopsis invicta*) — Fire ants prey on the larvae and pupae within the soil. - **Eats:** Virginia Opossum (*Didelphis virginiana*) — Opossums dig up and consume the nutritious grubs and adult beetles. ## Traits - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Glowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/glowing): Pertaining to organisms that emit light through bioluminescence or fluorescence. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low These beetles are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Green June Beetle? Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Common Green June Beetle's wingspan? 30-50 mm ### How big is Common Green June Beetle? 15-25 mm ### How long does Common Green June Beetle live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Common Green June Beetle fly? 12 km/h ### What does Common Green June Beetle eat? These beetles feast on sweet ripe fruits and plant sap as adults, while their larvae munch on decaying organic matter and roots. ### Where is Common Green June Beetle usually found? Urban areas ### How does Common Green June Beetle hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Chilocco Indian Agricultural School](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chilocco-indian-agricultural-school) — Oklahoma, US · Campus - [Commerce Street Residential Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/commerce-street-residential-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [East Commerce Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-commerce-street-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Georgia Institute of Technology Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/georgia-institute-of-technology-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Houston Arboretum and Nature Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/houston-arboretum-and-nature-center) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden - [Market Square](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/market-square) — Tennessee, US · Historic District [View all places to see Common Green June Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-green-june-beetle) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Common Green June Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-green-june-beetle)