# June Bug (*Phyllophaga spp.*) June Bugs are brown beetles that come out in the summer. They can be seen flying around lights at night! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Fields and gardens - **Also known as:** June Beetle, May Beetle ![June Bug](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426255/objects/5498.jpg) ## Appearance The June Bug is a stout-bodied beetle, typically reddish-brown to dark brown, with a somewhat shiny, iridescent sheen. It has distinctive clubbed antennae and a hard shell (elytra) covering its wings, making it visually distinct from flies or moths. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Scarabaeidae - **Genus:** Phyllophaga ## Interesting facts - June Bugs spend 1-3 years as grubs underground before emerging as adults! - Some June Bugs have tiny hooks on their legs to cling to rough surfaces like bark. - They often fly clumsily, sometimes bumping into windows and screens at night. - Though they look big and buzzy, June Bugs are completely harmless to humans. ## Special abilities - **Burrowing Power:** June Bugs can dig into soil quickly because of their strong, spiny legs that help them hide. - **Night Navigator:** June Bugs have excellent night vision, helping them fly and find mates after the sun sets. - **Root Muncher:** As grubs, June Bugs can chew through tough plant roots because of their strong mandibles. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-50 mm - **Size:** 12-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-40 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult June Bugs munch on leaves, while their grub babies feast on plant roots underground. - **Age differences:** Larvae (grubs) eat roots underground, while adults feed on leaves above ground. - **Primary Foods:** Tree leaves, Shrub leaves, Grass roots (larvae), Plant roots (larvae) - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Robins often dig up and eat June Bug grubs. - **Eats:** Virginia Opossum (*Didelphis virginiana*) — Opossums forage for both adult beetles and grubs. - **Eats:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Adult June Bugs feed on the leaves of oak trees. - **Eats:** [Big Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/big-brown-bat) (*Eptesicus fuscus*) — Bats catch and eat adult June Bugs in flight. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify June Bug? 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 June Bug's wingspan? 30-50 mm ### How big is June Bug? 12-25 mm ### How long does June Bug live? 20-40 days ### How fast can June Bug fly? 8 km/h ### What does June Bug eat? Adult June Bugs munch on leaves, while their grub babies feast on plant roots underground. ### Where is June Bug usually found? Fields and gardens ### How does June Bug hunt? Foraging ## 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: [June Bug: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/june-bug)