Beetles: Green Flying Scarabs
We were attending a conference in Anaheim, California, when we spotted some large flying bugs, nearly the size of Calliope Hummingbird, but brighter green. It seemed to be inspecting the flowers nearby and the food out on display at the stand-up tables. Not sure what they were, it was time for Google to come to the rescue: “What are those large, green flying bugs in June located in Southern California?” The answer came back as Figeater beetles. So it was off to find out what they were all about.
In Los Angeles and Orange County, large, noisy flying beetles spotted during June are called Figeater beetles (sometimes called “Green June bugs” or “flying emeralds”). They are large, metallic-green scarab beetles known for their clumsy flight patterns and loud buzzing noises in flight.
Figeater beetles (Cotinis mutabilis) are large, bright metallic-green scarab beetles prominent in Southern California. Known for their loud, bumblebee-like buzzing, they are notoriously clumsy fliers. These beetles frequently collide with walls and people. They are completely harmless, do not bite, and are simply seeking out ripe fruits or mates.
Flight Characteristics
- The Flight Mechanism: Unlike other beetles that raise and flap their hardened forewings (elytra), figeater beetles keep them flat against their back while flicking out their thin hind wings from underneath.
- The “Blind” Myth: While not entirely blind, their vision is very poor. As a result, users in community forums like Reddit often joke that they “can’t see anything,” which explains why they bumble into obstacles and people.
- No Stinger or Bite: Despite their loud, aggressive-sounding flight, they lack functional mouthparts to bite humans.
Why They Fly Into You
- Poor Navigation: Their inability to fully open their hardened forewings makes them poor pilots that careen through the air.
- Foraging for Fruit: Adults are highly attracted to the scent of rotting, fallen, or soft-skinned fruit (such as figs, peaches, and grapes). You will often see them flying low, lazy loops around gardens and orchards during the day
Henry E. Hooper 