Fig Beetle Grub. This year I discovered my first fig beetle grub, or larva. Also, known as a June Bug. Eggs are laid by the adults during the summer under pots or just under the soil surface and when the grubs hatch they burrow down and inch or two and spend the winter under the soil.

They feed on the roots of grass, so can be destructive to lawns. When disturbed, as this one was, they scoot quickly towards anything dark, looking for soil. They slide on their back, and use the legs only when burrowed in soil.

Click here for video on Late Bloomer Show Facebook page. You can see the size measured against my finger near the end of the clip. It is dragging itself on it’s back, as those are it’s short legs sticking up in the air. And it can move fast! I plan to gift this to my neighbor’s chickens.

 Thanks for stopping by! Isn’t the natural world amazing? 🙂 – Kaye

Update 2014: This summer I had many fig beetles flying around my garden laying eggs, and have already discovered 5 grubs, with no doubt more to come. They fly very clumsily and will fly right by your head or bang into you. It’s quite loud. I was able to knock a few out of the air with my sunhat. They won’t hurt you and are absolutely gorgeous with their metallic green underside. But, they are a pest and the beetles suck on soft fruits, like figs and plums, possibly even tomatoes. CLICK HERE to see an adult Fig Beetle.