June bugs are a familiar sight during late spring and early summer evenings. These reddish-brown beetles are characterized by their nocturnal activity. While adult June bugs consume plant foliage, their larval stage, known as white grubs, feeds on plant roots, sometimes causing damage to lawns and gardens. Both their adult and larval forms serve as a food source for a variety of animals.
Birds That Hunt June Bugs
Many bird species actively hunt June bugs. Robins and starlings often forage on lawns, where they can readily find and consume June bug grubs near the soil surface. Crows and grackles are also known to eat both adult June bugs and their grubs, often seen pecking at the ground to uncover them.
Nocturnal birds like owls and nighthawks are adept at catching adult June bugs in flight. Owls, with their keen senses, find June bugs to be a protein-rich meal. Chickens, as opportunistic feeders, will also readily consume June bugs they encounter. Cardinals have been observed eating adult June bugs.
Mammals That Hunt June Bugs
Several mammals frequently prey on June bugs, particularly their grubs, which are a concentrated source of nutrients. Skunks are well-known for their habit of digging up lawns to find and consume June bug larvae. Raccoons also exhibit similar digging behaviors, often searching for grubs as part of their varied diet.
Moles are subterranean predators that feed extensively on June bug grubs found underground. Bats, as nocturnal insectivores, are effective predators of adult June bugs, using echolocation to locate the flying beetles in the dark. Opossums are also opportunistic feeders that will consume both adult June bugs and grubs if they are easily accessible.
Other Creatures That Hunt June Bugs
Beyond birds and mammals, a range of other creatures contribute to controlling June bug populations. Amphibians such as frogs and toads prey on adult June bugs, using their sticky tongues to capture the beetles. Reptiles, including some snake species, will also consume June bugs they encounter. The copperhead snake, for instance, has been noted to consume June bugs, particularly during certain months.
Various insects also prey on June bugs. Predatory ground beetles and assassin bugs are known to attack and consume both adult June bugs and their larvae. Parasitic wasps, such as the American pelecinid wasp, lay their eggs on June bug larvae, with the hatching larvae then consuming the June bug grubs.