A little reason to celebrate
June Bug Day
Animal · Seasonal · June 7
June bugs are the chunky, clumsy beetles that bump against porch lights on early summer nights, and this day gives them a closer look.
June Bug Day falls on Monday, June 7, 2027. That is 223 days away.
June bugs are beetles. The name covers several kinds of scarab beetle in the United States, most of them reddish brown, round-backed and about the size of a fingertip. They show up in late spring and early summer, which is how they earned the name.
Most people meet them at night. Adult June bugs are drawn to lights, and they fly with more enthusiasm than skill, so they tend to thump into screen doors and windows and then sit on the porch looking a little stunned. They are harmless to people. They do not sting or bite.
The beetle spends most of its life out of sight. Females lay eggs in soil, and the larvae, called grubs, live underground feeding on roots for a long stretch before they turn into adults. The flying, buzzing stage that everyone recognizes is a short final chapter.
A calm evening is the best way to notice them. Sit outside near a light and listen for the low drone and the occasional tap against glass. If one lands on its back and can't right itself, you can leave it be, or gently tip it over with a leaf or twig and let it go on its way.
In the morning, the ones that spent the night by the porch light are often still clinging to the screen, waiting for dusk.
Ways to celebrate
- Sit outside at dusk and listen for June bugs buzzing near a light.
- Look closely at one resting on a screen without picking it up.
- Turn off unneeded outdoor lights so beetles and other insects can move freely.
- Read about scarab beetles and how their grubs live underground.
- Sketch a June bug's shape and color from a photo or a safe distance.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday, June 7 |
| 2027 | Monday, June 7 |
| 2028 | Wednesday, June 7 |
| 2029 | Thursday, June 7 |
| 2030 | Friday, June 7 |
Also on June 7
Categories: Animal daysSeasonal days