WINSTON WEEKLY^[1]

June 7, 2026

Vol. 4, No. 23

BUSY BEETLES[2]

June bugs, also known as May beetles, are frustrating and fascinating. Although referenced as bugs, they are insects. Their scientific name is Scarabaeidae, more commonly known as scarabs, originating from the sacred Egyptian beetle known for mysteriously emerging from buried dung balls. Associated with the god Khepri, scarabs represented the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, and symbolized protection and good fortune. Like butterflies, a beetle’s life cycle is a complete metamorphosis.

With six legs and a short antenna, females bury between 50 and 200 pearl-like eggs in the soil. When the eggs hatch, they enter the larvae stage with a grub or worm-like appearance. Smaller beetles known as masked chafers feed on grass roots and take about two years to grow from egg to adult. Larger ones are nearly twice the size and take three to four years to become adults. Both sizes have an average life span of a year once they reach adulthood.  

Given their attraction to light, porches throughout the United States swarm with beetles in late May or early June. With more than 300 species, Midwestern beetles are typically reddish reddish-brown or black. In Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Georgia, beetles are typically green or greenish brown. Their outer wings, referred to as elytra, protect their delicate flight wings.

With an affinity for plant roots as they grow, several species are known to wreak havoc on gardens and crops. Others, such as the dung beetle, are critical for the ecosystem, providing soil aeration, parasite suppression, and seed dispersal. Many grubs and beetles are an essential food source for racoons and birds.

WEEKLY ACTIVITY

Explore more interesting facts about ancient Egypt, or the origin of the rock band, The Beatles. For a clue on The Beatles, consider the band’s efforts to build on the success of Buddy Holly’s band, The Crickets, and the pun to the word “beat.” Mark Lewisohn has written extensively on The Beetles, including a historical trilogy of books. John Ward’s book, The Sacred Beetle: A Popular Treatise on Egyptian Scarabs in Art and History, features more than 500 scarabs.

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[1] A weekly blog/newsletter by Alysen Bayles to be shared with the appropriate attribute.

[2]Resources: Sarah Sansom, Lauren Posey, Christianally Cena, June Bug: Life Cycle, Facts & Characteristics, www.study.com; Dogan Ehran Ersoy and Adbullah Hasbenli, Drivers of Scarabaeidae (Coleoptera) attraction: the roles of habitat diversity and bail type evaluated through EUNIS habitat classes, National Library of Medicine, BMC Zool., 2026 Feb. 7; 11:9; Scarab Beetles, Missouri Dept. of Conservation, www.mdc.mo.gov; Scarab beetles and their meaning in the antient Egyptian history, May 23, 2023, https://www.nationalhistorycuriosities.com.