sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

This is my preserved Green June Beetle which are common to our area and because they fly, these beetles may be found nearly anywhere. They are a member of the scarab family of beetles and they are diurnal but are still drawn to lights after dark so I often find them on the summer nights that when I place the white sheet over the fence and shine the large light on it. It's kind of the 'lazy man's' way of collecting specimens in addition to sticky fly strips.

They are found where there is decaying plant material including fallen fruits and pollen at times for them to eat so they play a part in breaking down material that helps enrich the soil.

The bottom image is a session that I staged last summer that shows the June Bug in its entirety where it was on a black background that I converted to white. They are harmless insects unless you hit one while riding a motorcycle which I can attest to.

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SpyderJan Loc: New Smyrna Beach. FL

Beautiful in an ugly kind of way Sippy. I can also attest to the impact of hitting one of these critters while riding a motorcycle. Nature's armored vehicle.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks for viewing and for the reply. We would take a vacation trip on the motorcycle each summer so getting whacked was part of the adventure. Took a vacation south one summer and ran into the "Love Bug" mating season and got plastered with them. Couldn't tell what color the bike was other than mashed bug color and they were the dickens to clean off.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks ever so much.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Another good one, Gary! I do like the colors.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, UTMike. Just my way of passing time while keeping warm. The alternative is to shovel the fresh snow and clear the car.

SpyderJan Loc: New Smyrna Beach. FL

Dryer sheets work wonders getting the Love Bugs off of the paint.