Possible Cockchafer
Location: Westford, Vermont
July 9, 2011 9:16 am
My father found this large beetle in their yard yesterday July 8, and saved it for me. Its very large with a hairy underside and beautiful feathery antenna. From what I can surmise it is a Cockchafer or May Beetle…however I can only find articles talking about those existing in Europe/UK. I’m curious if this is indeed one of those beetles or some variation. My parents live in a partially wooded area in rural Vermont. I released it after taking these photos and it made a sort of hissing sound!
Signature: Betsy

Variegated June Beetle

Hi Betsy,
This is one of the Lined June Beetles in the genus Polyphylla.  Most of the submissions we receive are of the Ten Lined June Beetle which is found in the western states.  The Ten Lined June Beetle has a more distinct pattern.  Here is a photo from our archives.  You have submitted some wonderful photos of a Variegated June Beetle, Polyphylla variolosa, which is found in New England states.  You can read more about it on bugGuide.

Variegated June Beetle

Thanks for getting back to me!  I’ve never seen a June Bug that looked this interesting before.  And usually I never see them unless they are already dead.  I will add the real name to my photo collection
Elisabeth

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Bug on Michigan watermelon
Location: Mid Michigan
July 7, 2011 12:30 pm
Dear Sirs;
Found this beautiful creature eating my watermelon plants.
Would like to identify, so I might find a way to ask it to leave.
Also, Bug pics are very hard to take! Links to Insect pic taking advice also solicited.
Signature: Prime

Japanese Beetle

Dear Prime,
The invasive exotic Japanese Beetle was introduced to North America in the early 20th Century and it is well established in Eastern States where it appears in droves each year.  It is doubtful it will ever be eradicated.  Japanese Beetles feed on a multitude of cultivated plants and they are probably one of the most despised insects among home gardeners since they feed so indiscriminately.  This is the first image we have posted of a Japanese Beetle this year.

Thank you sir.
Currently researching options.  Have you recommendations?

Normally, we do not give extermination advice, but in the case of the invasive Japanese Beetle, we will make an exception.  You can try hand picking them (careful, they drop to the ground when disturbed) and dropping them into a jar of soapy water.  Adding a touch of oil or kerosene will also help.  They quickly drown.

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unidentified beetle
Location: Wassenaar, Zuid Holland, Netherlands
July 4, 2011 12:44 pm
I took this photo outside my front garden. I live in south Holland, Netherlands, Europe.
When I poked it gently with my door key it made a noise, I think coming from its rear but not sure.
It was not interested in moving and I found it again trying to dig into the dry dirt. It was about 3.5 – 4 centimetres long.
Signature: Rosie

June Beetle

Hi Rosie,
This is sure a pretty Scarab Beetle, actually one of the June Beetles.  We located it on the Photo Gallery of Beetles website, and had to view all the thumbnails, where we learned it is Polyphylla fullo.  There are some nice photos here, and BioLib also has a good photo.  According to the Free Dictionary:  “The beetle is distributed in middle and southeastern Europe; in the USSR it is found in Byelorussia, the Ukraine, and the Volga Region. The beetles fly in July evenings and nights; they feed on the leaves and needles of trees. The females deposit their eggs in the soil. Development continues for three years; in extremely dark places, development may take up to four years. Young larvae feed on humus and the roots of herbaceous plants; older larvae gnaw through the roots of shrubs and trees and cause desiccation of the plants.”

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A bee, perhaps?
Location: Upper Styria, Austria
June 30, 2011 6:55 am
Dear Bugman, I came across this eyecatching creature June 9 along the Enns River between Wörschach and Niederhofen, Austria. The weather was overcast and cold, hovering right around 60˚F, but I had the feeling that if it had been warmer, this little fella would have been buzzing from flower to flower. Do you have an identification for it? Thanks in advance!
Signature: N. Fritz

Bee Chafer

Dear N. Fritz,
We believe we have correctly identified this Scarab Beetle as a Bee Chafer, Trichius rosaceus or Trichius fasciatus, based on Rob Coleman’s photos on ISpot.  The Global Species website has some very similar photos.  The harmless Bee Chafer probably derives some benefit from mimicking a stinging bee.

Thanks, Daniel!  Is it the first bee chafer to be featured on What’s that Bug?  If so, I’m very honored!  Condolences on Lefty, but I’m glad to hear his legacy will live on.

Thanks.  We do not turn up any matches on our site for Trichius, so this is probably a genus first on our site, however we do have some similar North American species.

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