Do Green Junebugs Come Out in June? Your Questions Answered
Since it is June, you might wonder: Does the green junebug live up to its name? The answer is yes—they make their seasonal return in June!
As Spring transitions to Summer, the green junebug emerges like most other insects. Although they don’t bite and won’t infest your home, your garden is at risk.
At Vulcan Termite and Pest Control, Inc., we take pride in being one of Alabama’s longest-running, family-owned pest control companies. Our custom pest control services ensure your garden stays green and junebug-free! Keep reading to learn more about green junebugs, the signs of an infestation, and what you can do about it.
The Green Junebug Explained
The green junebug is a beetle that gets its name from not only the month it appears aboveground, but also for its green, metallic appearance. The beetle belongs to the Scarabaeidae family and is found most commonly in the Northeast to Southeast regions of the United States. It is one of ~300 species of beetles and one of the least harmful of its kind.
Beetles Behind the Scenes
The life cycle of the green junebug begins at the start of Summer. The beetle undergoes a four-stage process from egg to adulthood (aka a complete metamorphosis)—mostly working beneath the surface and behind the scenes.
During mating season, the female junebug lays about 200 eggs beneath the soil’s surface to ensure safe hatching between 2 and 4 weeks later. Once they’ve hatched from eggs (stage 1) into larvae (stage 2), the larvae feed on the roots of your garden, killing everything from the ground up. Most remain in this stage for about a year, but others will stay there and continue growing for up to three years.
For the third stage, the larvae transform into pupae. Pupae-hood is a major transitory phase for this verdant-hued beetle as it prepares for growth into its shell. It is the last and final growth stage before it emerges from underground. A reliable food source is essential as it matures and develops, so the green June bug has you and your garden to thank for that.
Come June, the adult beetles emerge from the surface and can begin damaging your plants from above their root source—that is, if your plants survived the pupa phase.
Check for the Signs
There are a few simple ways to check for the signs of a junebug infestation. Below are a few of them:
- Green June bug sightings in your garden or nearby it
- An influx of spiders and/or other bugs
- Holes in flowers and other plants
- Dead plants
The Beetles are Back–Here’s What You Can Do About It
If you have had issues with green June bugs in the past, get ready because beetle season is back!
Since green Junebugs are nocturnal creatures, you might not see them often; you’ll undoubtedly notice the damage they leave behind on your flowers, though. That is where we can step in to help.
Our Vulcan Termite and Pest Control, Inc. pros provide custom lawn pest control services to ensure your garden stays junebug-free. Call us at (205) 663-4200 or contact us online today!
