How big do figeater beetles get?
Adult figeater beetles grow to approximately 1.25 inches (3.2 cm). They are a semi- glossy 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.
What is the name of the fig beetle?
C. mutabilis. Binomial name. Cotinis mutabilis. (Gory & Percheron, 1883) Cotinis mutabilis, also known as the figeater beetle (also green fruit beetle or fig beetle ), 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, ...
Where do figeater beetles live?
Its habitat is primarily the southwestern United States and Mexico. Figeater beetles are often mistaken for green June beetles ( Cotinis nitida) and occasionally Japanese beetles ...
What do beetles eat?
The adult's primary food has become fruit in gardens and orchards. They prefer sweet food, which includes the leaves, flowers, and saps of some plants and ripe or overripe fruit. Fruit with tough skins are too hard for them to bite through, so they most often eat softer-skinned fruit such as figs, peaches, grapes, pears, and tomatoes, among others. The beetles are particularly attracted to ripening and fermenting fruit, which emit gases that lead the beetles to them, and to fruit that other animals or insects have already damaged. In most small gardens, the adult beetles are minor pests that do little damage; however, they can swarm on soft or damaged fruit and have been known to eat an entire garden grape or fig crop. They are not considered to be an important pest because they do not damage lawns as larvae and trees as much as June beetles or Japanese beetles.
What do worm larvae eat?
The larvae eat decomposing organic matter, such as that found in compost piles, manure piles, and organic mulch, and occasionally plant roots, such as the roots of grass in lawns.
Is a June beetle the same as a C. mutabilis?
Taxonomy. C. mutabilis is often confused with the green June beetle ( Cotinis nitida ). Both are members of the flower beetle subfamily ( Cetoniinae ), and are similar in appearance, but the green June beetle is smaller, and its range is in the eastern United States.
How to keep fig beetles away from fruit?
If adult fig beetles are eating your fruit, discourage them by picking the fruit as soon as it ripens. Some gardeners like to leave a few overripe, rotting fruits in place to trap figeater beetles. When the fruit has attracted a few beetles, knock the pests into a container and dispose of them.
How to get rid of grubs in my garden?
If you maintain piles of mulch, compost or manure, turn the piles often. You may want to screen compost to remove the larvae. In the garden, frequent tilling in fall and early spring can bring the grubs to the surface, where they will likely die of exposure or be eaten by birds.
How to control fig beetles in lawn?
Fig Beetle Control. If fig beetles are causing problems in your lawn, maintaining healthy, thick turf is the best way to prevent damage by figeater beetles. Flood irrigation is often effective because the grubs can’t survive in wet soil for more than a couple of days.
What are fig beetles?
Also known as figeater beetles or green June beetles, fig beetles are large, metallic-looking green beetles that dine on corn, flower petals, nectar and soft-skinned fruits such as: Figeater beetles can cause extensive injury in home lawns and gardens.
How long does it take for a figeater beetle to hatch?
Adult figeater beetles lay their eggs 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm.) beneath the surface of the soil in late summer. The eggs hatch in about two weeks and survive by eating organic matter in the soil until winter.
Can you control fig beetles with pesticides?
Chemical control is usually not recommended for control of fig beetles; however, in the event of large infestations, grubs may be controlled by applying pesticides in fall. Orchardists sometimes soak overripe fruit with pesticides. The fruit is then placed around the outer perimeter of the orchard. Printer Friendly Version.
Is a figeater beetle dangerous?
Figeater beetles are generally harmless and actually quite attractive. Many people don’t mind their presence in the garden, but due to their clumsy air-raid flight habits and loud buzzing, they may wear out their welcome in a hurry. In large numbers, they can do more serious damage.
What do green fig beetles eat?
Members of the group feed primarily on pollen, nectar or petals. The beetle resembles green June beetles and Japanese beetles, for which it is sometimes mistaken.
Can figeater beetles kill figs?
Although figeater beetles generally don’t do major damage, a large swarm can decimate an entire fig crop. To control the pest, turn compost often and screen to remove larvae. In orchards, chickens and wild birds will scratch up and eat the grubs. Trap adults by leaving a few overripe fruits to attract the beetles, then hand pick or drown by dropping the fruit in a container of water.
Why do grubs have a crawly back?
The term “crawly back” comes from the unique method of locomotion the grubs have where they flip onto their backs to scoot along (clumsy movement is clearly not restricted to adults!). The fig beetles are a friendly bunch, and a helpful addition to our urban ecosystem.
What is a fig beetle?
Fig beetles (Cotinis mutabilis), also known as figeater beetles or green fruit beetles, are a Southwestern species of beetle that careen through the air with the grace of a charging rhinoceros. They are loud, they are big (often around an inch long), and they are everywhere right now.
Do fig beetles fly into your face?
Even when they fly directly into the side of your face when you are walking across an open lawn. They are just clumsy. Really clumsy. Part of this is surely pure mass, as fig beetles support a lot of weight as they fly around looking for food and mates.
