Figeater beetle
Encyclopedia
Cotinis mutabilis, also known as the "green fruit beetle" or "fig beetle" and also as "junebug", is a member of the scarab
beetle
family. It belongs to the subfamily Cetoniinae, comprising a group of beetles commonly called flower chafers since many of them feed on pollen, nectar, or petals. Its habitat is primarily the southwestern United States
and Mexico
. Figeater beetles are often mistaken for green June beetles (Cotinis nitida
) and Japanese beetle
s (Popillia japonica); however, they do not damage lawns and fruit crops to the same extent as their eastern cousins.
Adult figeater beetles grow to approximately 1.25 inches (3 cm). They are a dull green on the top and a brilliant iridescent green on the underside and legs. They are active during daylight hours, often congregating in the shade of trees near choice breeding grounds to find mates. They make a loud buzzing sound similar to that of carpenter bee
s.
Pupation occurs in the spring; adults emerge from July–September (varies with location). After mating, eggs are laid in decaying matter or compost piles, which provide sustenance for the larvae when they emerge.
). They are both members of the flower beetle subfamily (Cetoniinae), and their appearance is quite similar, but the green June beetle is smaller, and its range is in the eastern United States. The only possible crossover of both species is in Texas.
Scarabaeidae
The family Scarabaeidae as currently defined consists of over 30,000 species of beetles worldwide. The species in this large family are often called scarabs or scarab beetles. The classification of this family is fairly unstable, with numerous competing theories, and new proposals appearing quite...
beetle
Beetle
Coleoptera is an order of insects commonly called beetles. The word "coleoptera" is from the Greek , koleos, "sheath"; and , pteron, "wing", thus "sheathed wing". Coleoptera contains more species than any other order, constituting almost 25% of all known life-forms...
family. It belongs to the subfamily Cetoniinae, comprising a group of beetles commonly called flower chafers since many of them feed on pollen, nectar, or petals. Its habitat is primarily the southwestern United States
Southwestern United States
The Southwestern United States is a region defined in different ways by different sources. Broad definitions include nearly a quarter of the United States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. Figeater beetles are often mistaken for green June beetles (Cotinis nitida
Cotinis nitida
Cotinis nitida, also known as the green beetle, is a beetle of the family Scarabaeidae. It occurs in the southeastern part of the United States. It is not easily distinguished from the related southwestern species, Cotinis mutabilis....
) and Japanese beetle
Japanese beetle
The beetle species Popillia japonica is commonly known as the Japanese beetle. It is about long and wide, with iridescent copper-colored elytra and green thorax and head...
s (Popillia japonica); however, they do not damage lawns and fruit crops to the same extent as their eastern cousins.
Adult figeater beetles grow to approximately 1.25 inches (3 cm). They are a dull green on the top and a brilliant iridescent green on the underside and legs. They are active during daylight hours, often congregating in the shade of trees near choice breeding grounds to find mates. They make a loud buzzing sound similar to that of carpenter bee
Carpenter bee
Carpenter bees are large, hairy bees distributed worldwide. There are some 500 species of carpenter bee in 31 subgenera...
s.
Life cycle
Figeater beetle larvae, commonly called "crawly backs", grow up to 2 inches (5 cm) and are thick and white with a dark head. They have six small, ineffectual legs—to move, they roll onto their backs and propel themselves upside down, using the stiff dark hairs on their backs to gain traction. At rest, they curl into a firm C shape.Pupation occurs in the spring; adults emerge from July–September (varies with location). After mating, eggs are laid in decaying matter or compost piles, which provide sustenance for the larvae when they emerge.
Taxonomy
The figeater beetle (Cotinis mutabilis) is often confused with the green June beetle (Cotinis nitidaCotinis nitida
Cotinis nitida, also known as the green beetle, is a beetle of the family Scarabaeidae. It occurs in the southeastern part of the United States. It is not easily distinguished from the related southwestern species, Cotinis mutabilis....
). They are both members of the flower beetle subfamily (Cetoniinae), and their appearance is quite similar, but the green June beetle is smaller, and its range is in the eastern United States. The only possible crossover of both species is in Texas.