green June nitida Kingdom: Animalia FEATURES Phylum: Arthropoda The green June beetle is also known as a June bug. Class: Insecta As a scarab beetle, it has an oblong body shape. Its Order: Coleoptera body length averages from about one-half inch to slightly more than one inch. The upper body is green Family: or brown with green stripes and has a yellow to light ILLINOIS STATUS brown border. The lower body is metallic green with some brown or copper coloration. common, native BEHAVIORS Unlike many scarab , the green June beetle is active during the day. Adults feed on the parts and fruits of many plant species. The larvae eat decomposing plant and materials, molds, plant roots and underground stems. Females are often seen flying together on hots days as they look for places to lay their eggs. Eggs are laid in the ground. They larvae hatch in about 18 days. The pupa also develops below ground. Adults emerge in June after about 18 days in the pupal stage.

ILLINOIS RANGE

© Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2020. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. adult

© Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2020. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. adult

Aquatic Habitats none

Woodland Habitats upland deciduous forests

Prairie and Edge Habitats edge

© Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2020. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources.