Large Green Irridescent Beetle-looking bug
Location: San Fernando Valley CA
August 14, 2011 8:37 am
Hi ~ I recently moved to southern California (Winnetka CA), and these bugs are flying all over the place for the last few months (summer). I was terrified at first but someone told me they aren’t harmful. They are actually quite beautiful and they fly really slowly at times and you can catch them! I found this one dead on my driveway. What is it?
Signature: Best regards, Annette
Figeater
Hi Annette,
Though it looks and sounds like a large bee while flying, you are correct that the Green Fruit Beetle, Cotinis mutabilis, is perfectly harmless, though they will eat your backyard fruit. If you have large numbers of them, you must have a nearby food source for either the adults of the larvae. Adults feed on peaches, figs and other summer fruits, and we love the common name Figeater. Larvae are found in compost piles and they are called Crawlybacks.
Figeater
Daniel ~ Thank you so much!!
My neighbor has a LOT of fruit trees in his back yard. And he just brought over a pile of FIGS the other day J That explains it.
So glad I finally know what they are called.
Thanks again and have a wonderful week!
Annette
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