Green June beetle

The Green June beetle (Cotinis nitida) is a member of the Scarabaeidae family, widely recognized for its impact on fruit production and turfgrass health. Adult beetles are large, metallic green, and are known for their distinct buzzing sound during flight in the summer months.

These insects affect a variety of agricultural and ornamental plants. Adults frequently feed on ripening fruits, such as peaches, grapes, and figs, often causing severe damage. In their larval stage, they reside in the soil and can devastate the roots of golf courses and lawns.

The life cycle of Cotinis nitida is typically completed in one year. Females prefer to lay eggs in moist, high-organic-matter soil, such as compost piles or heavily manured garden beds. After hatching, the larvae go through three instars before pupating deep within the soil profile.

Damage assessment reveals that beetles often cluster on fruit, leaving behind deep, necrotic wounds that lead to secondary infections. Larval damage manifests as loose, spongy turf that can be easily pulled away due to the destruction of the root system underneath.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies include the following:

• Reducing excessive soil organic matter in areas prone to infestation.
• Applying entomopathogenic nematodes to target larval stages.
• Using light or pheromone traps to monitor and reduce adult beetle populations.
• Maintaining healthy turf to increase resistance against larval feeding.