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Green June Beetle

Cotinis nitida

CommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Green June Beetle (Cotinis nitida)

The Green June Beetle is a large, brilliantly metallic green scarab with orange-yellow venter and sides. It flies noisily on hot summer mornings, often in large numbers, and emits a loud buzzing that can be startling. Larvae develop in rich organic soil and thatch and can damage lawns and turf. Adults feed on ripe soft fruits in orchards.

Habitat
Gardens, orchards, turfgrass areas, and compost-rich soils
Diet
Larvae: organic matter in soil and thatch. Adults: ripe fruit and flowers
How common
Common

Best time to see a Green June Beetle

The best time to see a Green June Beetle is July–August, when about 77% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 30,709 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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