Ten-lined June Beetle (Polyphylla decemlineata)

About Ten-lined June Beetle (Polyphylla decemlineata)

• Kingdom: Animals
• Phylum: Arthropods
• Class: Insects
• Order: Beetles
• Family: Scarabs

The ten-lined June beetle, also known as the watermelon beetle, is a scarab beetle found in the western United States and Canada. The adults are attracted to light and feed on foliage, notably mature pine needles. They can make a hissing sound when touched or otherwise disturbed, which can resemble the hissing of a bat. This sound is made by their wings pushing down, forcing the air out between their wings and back. They can be an agricultural pest affecting a wide range of crops because their larvae feed on plant roots and can weaken or kill the plants.