June bugs, common summer insects, often startle people with their erratic flight, sometimes appearing to fly directly at them. Also known as May beetles, they are a familiar sight during warmer months. Their uncontrolled aerial movements frequently lead to surprising encounters, prompting curiosity about their behavior.
The Science of Their Flight
June bugs are nocturnal insects, typically active from dusk until around midnight. Their flight patterns are influenced by a strong attraction to light, a behavior known as positive phototaxis. This attraction is thought to stem from their natural navigation system, which historically relied on the moon’s consistent light as a guide. Artificial light sources, such as porch lights and streetlamps, disorient them by confusing this innate celestial navigation.
June bugs possess relatively poor vision, contributing to their clumsy movements. Their eyesight is not as sharp or precise as that of many other flying insects. Their heavy, rounded bodies further add to their ungraceful flight. Unlike many insects with two functional pairs of wings for flight, beetles like June bugs have hardened forewings (elytra) that act as protective shields, meaning only one set of wings provides lift during flight. This combination of a bulky body, limited vision, and less efficient wing structure results in their characteristic erratic and bumbling aerial movements.
Why Collisions Occur
June bugs do not intentionally target people. Collisions are a consequence of their disoriented flight, attraction to light, and poor navigational abilities. When a person stands near an artificial light source, the June bug may perceive the individual as part of the light’s sphere of influence or as a large, unavoidable obstacle within its confused flight path. Their limited depth perception means they struggle to accurately gauge distances to objects in their environment, lacking precise visual processing.
As adults, their primary goal is reproduction, leading to a frantic, mating-focused flight period. They do not invest energy in developing refined flight skills, contributing to their lack of precise control. This often results in them crashing loudly into various barriers like windows, walls, and sometimes people. Even after impact, they may bounce off and continue flying, seemingly unaffected, due to their limited spatial awareness.
June Bugs and Human Interaction
June bugs are harmless to humans, despite their startling appearance and clumsy flight. They do not bite or sting, nor do they carry diseases. While their spiny legs can feel ticklish or like a slight pinch if they land on skin, this is due to their grip rather than any harmful intent. Their main impact on humans is typically limited to being a nuisance.
To minimize encounters, reducing unnecessary outdoor lighting during peak June bug activity can be effective. Switching to yellow or sodium vapor lights, which emit wavelengths less appealing to many insects, can also help. These adjustments make outdoor areas less attractive to June bugs.