Have you ever seen a bug and wondered if it was a June bug or a Japanese beetle? It can be hard to tell the difference between the two, especially if you’re not an entomologist. But with a few key differences, you can learn to recognize the differences between a June bug and a Japanese beetle. In this article, we’ll explore the difference between the two so you can identify them with ease.
What is a June Bug?
A June bug is a type of scarab beetle that’s most active during the summer months of June and July. They’re also known as May beetles or June beetles. They’re usually found in North America, particularly in the Eastern parts of the United States. June bugs are usually a reddish-brown color and are oval-shaped with a rough-textured body.
June bugs are attracted to light and often fly around porch lights and other sources of light at night. During the day, they hide in grassy areas and under objects like logs and rocks. June bugs feed on plant roots and can cause extensive damage to plants, particularly to grasses in lawns.
What is a Japanese Beetle?
The Japanese beetle is similar in size and shape to the June bug, but has a few distinct differences. It’s metallic green in color with copper-colored wings, and it has white patches of hair along its sides. It also has six small white tufts of hair along its back. The Japanese beetle is native to Japan but has since spread to North America and Europe.
Unlike June bugs, Japanese beetles are active during the day. They’re attracted to flowering plants and feed on their flowers and leaves. They can cause significant damage to gardens and crops, so they’re considered a major agricultural pest. Japanese beetles can also be found in lawns and feed on grasses and other plants.
How to Tell the Difference Between a June Bug and a Japanese Beetle
If you’re trying to tell the difference between a June bug and a Japanese beetle, the easiest way is to look at the color. June bugs are reddish-brown and Japanese beetles are metallic green. Additionally, Japanese beetles have white patches of hair on the sides of their bodies, while June bugs do not.
You can also tell the difference between the two by looking at their behavior. June bugs are most active at night and are attracted to light, while Japanese beetles are active during the day and are attracted to flowering plants. Additionally, June bugs feed on plant roots while Japanese beetles feed on flowers and leaves.
Conclusion
June bugs and Japanese beetles may look similar, but there are a few key differences that can help you tell them apart. June bugs are reddish-brown in color and are active at night, while Japanese beetles are metallic green in color and are active during the day. Additionally, June bugs feed on plant roots while Japanese beetles feed on flowers and leaves.
Now that you know the difference between June bugs and Japanese beetles, you can identify them with ease. Whether you’re a gardener or just a curious observer, knowing the difference between the two can help you identify them and learn more about the fascinating world of insects.