June Bug vs Ground Beetle
June Bugs and ground beetles are easy to mix up at a glance, but a few details separate them quickly. Here is how to tell which one you found and what, if anything, you should do about it.
Quick answer
Check for this first. A June bug has chunky, shiny reddish-brown to dark brown body, while a ground beetle has shiny black body, often with a metallic sheen.
Side-by-side comparison
| June Bug | Ground Beetle | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Beetles | Beetles |
| Scientific name | Phyllophaga spp. | Carabidae family |
| Size | 12–25 mm | 5–30 mm |
| Colors | Brown | Black and Metallic |
| Legs | 6 legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | Yes | Yes |
| Bites or stings | No | No |
| Risk | Nuisance | Harmless |
| Key feature | Chunky, shiny reddish-brown to dark brown body | Shiny black body, often with a metallic sheen |
Key differences
- Size: Ground Beetles are larger, reaching 30 mm, while June bugs top out around 25 mm.
- Color: June Bugs are brown; ground beetles are black and metallic.
- Risk: the June bug is a nuisance pest but not a health threat to most people, while the ground beetle poses no real threat to people, pets or property.
- Where found: look for June bugs in lawns and grass, in gardens and on plants and indoors; ground beetles turn up in gardens and on plants, in basements and garages and in lawns and grass.
- Signature feature: June Bugs: chunky, shiny reddish-brown to dark brown body. Ground Beetles: shiny black body, often with a metallic sheen.
How to identify June bugs
A heavy, reddish-brown beetle that crashes into screens and porch lights on late-spring nights. Its C-shaped white grubs live in soil and chew grass roots.
- Chunky, shiny reddish-brown to dark brown body
- Clumsy flight toward lights after dark
- Hairy underside and hooked legs that cling to screens
How to identify ground beetles
A fast-running, shiny black beetle that hunts slugs, caterpillars and other insects at night. Ground beetles often wander into basements and garages from nearby mulch and leaf litter.
- Shiny black body, often with a metallic sheen
- Long legs built for running
- Grooved wing covers and a narrow head with strong jaws
Which one is more dangerous?
The June bug carries more risk. June bugs are harmless to people; they do not bite or sting.
June bugs are harmless to people; they do not bite or sting. Ground beetles rarely bite and are beneficial predators; a few release a harmless, bad-smelling spray.
Where and when you'll see each
June Bugs turn up in lawns and grass, in gardens and on plants and indoors, mostly in spring and summer. Ground Beetles turn up in gardens and on plants, in basements and garages and in lawns and grass, mostly in spring, summer and fall.
Because they share habitat, you may find both in the same place, so check each individual.
What to do if you find one
June Bugs: Turn off outdoor lights or switch to yellow bulbs during flight season. Read the full removal guide for more.
Ground Beetles: no control is needed. Ground beetles rarely bite and are beneficial predators; a few release a harmless, bad-smelling spray.
Biology: beetles
Beetles go through complete metamorphosis: egg, larva (grub), pupa and adult. The larval stage often does the most feeding and damage, and it can last from a few weeks to several years depending on the species. Adults protect their flight wings under hard wing covers called elytra, which is why most beetles look armored and meet in a neat line down the back.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between June bugs and ground beetles?
Size: Ground Beetles are larger, reaching 30 mm, while June bugs top out around 25 mm.
Which is bigger, a June bug or a ground beetle?
June Bug: 12–25 mm. Ground Beetle: 5–30 mm.
Do June bugs or ground beetles bite?
June Bugs do not bite. Ground Beetles do not bite.
Where are they usually found?
June Bugs: in lawns and grass, in gardens and on plants and indoors. Ground Beetles: in gardens and on plants, in basements and garages and in lawns and grass.