Definition

Noun: 1. A type of large scarab beetle: A June beetle is any of several species of large, often brown or tan, beetles belonging to the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. They are common in North America and are most active in late spring and early summer. The adults are often attracted to lights at night. Their larvae, called grubs, live in the soil and feed on the roots of grasses and other plants.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The porch light was swarmed by June beetles last night.
  • The lawn has brown patches because June beetle grubs are eating the grass roots.
  • A large, clumsy June beetle buzzed against the window screen.

Advanced Usage

• "June bug": This is a very common informal synonym for "June beetle." The two terms are often used interchangeably in everyday language.
  • The children were fascinated by the shiny June bug they found in the garden.

Variants and Related Words

• June bug (n.): A common colloquial name for a June beetle.
• May beetle / May bug (n.): A name used for similar beetles in the same genus (), with activity often peaking slightly earlier in the season. The terms "June beetle" and "May beetle" frequently refer to the same or very similar species.
• White grub (n.): The larval stage of a June beetle (and other scarab beetles), which lives underground and is considered an agricultural and lawn pest.

Synonyms

• Chafer: A general name for beetles in the subfamily Melolonthinae, which includes June beetles.
• Cockchafer: A term used primarily in Europe for a similar large, flying scarab beetle.

Related Phrases

• Lawn grub: A common gardening term that often refers specifically to the larval stage of the June beetle, which damages turf grass.

Noun

1. any of various large usually brown North American leaf-eating beetles common in late spring; the larvae feed on roots of grasses etc.