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June Bug Day
"The June-bug's got the golden wing,
The Lightning-bug the flame;
The Bedbug's got no wing at all,
But he gets there just the same."
~ Traditional American Folk rhyme
June is busting out all over! And for entomologists and nature lovers, there is a interesting tartan for those who keep an eye out for those creepy-crawlers and low-flyers of summer!
June may bring thoughts of roses, weddings, and long evenings, but it is also the season of the familiar June bug, known in Britain as the May bug or cockchafer. These large beetles emerge as the weather warms and can often be seen bumbling through the twilight in search of mates. Their colours range from rich chestnut-brown and mahogany to warm coppery tones accented by creamy white markings, while some species display a subtle metallic sheen in the sunlight. Their scarab relatives add even more brilliance to the season, appearing in jewel-like shades of emerald green edged with gold, bronze, and copper.
Despite their reputation for colliding with porch lights—and occasionally people—June bugs have inspired affection as well as folklore. In parts of North America, "June Bug" became a fond nickname for children and loved ones, evoking memories of carefree summer evenings. Across both North America and Europe, the appearance of these beetles has long been regarded as a sign that summer has truly arrived. In parts of Britain and Scotland, a May bug landing on a person was even considered a token of good fortune.
Their earthy browns, russets, golden highlights, and occasional emerald greens seem perfectly suited to the colours of late spring and early summer fields, hedgerows, and woodland edges where they have made their home for generations. Whether viewed as heralds of summer, symbols of luck, or simply enthusiastic but somewhat ungainly fliers, these beetles remain among the season's most recognizable visitors.
This tartan is one of several fashion tartans in a collection celebrating some of nature's greener creepy-crawlers and winged wanderers. 💚 🤍 💗 💛 🖤 💚 🪲 🪲 🪲
Beetles have been astonishingly successful for a very long time. The oldest known beetle fossils date back more than 270 million years, meaning beetles were already thriving long before the dinosaurs appeared.
Today, scientists estimate that roughly one in every four known animal species is a beetle. Their incredible diversity has led to the famous quip often attributed to evolutionary biologist J.B.S. Haldane that the Creator must have had "an inordinate fondness for beetles."
North America and Britain host an extraordinary variety of beetles beyond the familiar June bug. In Britain's ancient woodlands, the stag beetle is one of the most impressive insects, with males sporting enormous antler-like jaws used in contests with rivals. North America has its own giants, including several species of longhorn beetles whose antennae can exceed the length of their bodies. Some of these insects spend years hidden within trees as larvae before emerging for only a few weeks as adults.
Many beetles possess remarkable abilities. Certain click beetles can launch themselves into the air with an audible snap when overturned, using a specialized hinge in their bodies. Fireflies—technically beetles rather than flies—produce cold light through a highly efficient chemical reaction that generates almost no wasted heat. The synchronized flashing displays seen in some North American species remain among the most magical spectacles of the insect world.
Beetles have also influenced culture and folklore on both sides of the Atlantic. The ladybird, known as the ladybug in North America, has long been regarded as a symbol of good fortune. Medieval Europeans associated the bright red beetle with the Virgin Mary, giving rise to the name "Our Lady's bird." Farmers welcomed them as allies because they devour aphids and other crop pests, and finding a ladybird in the house was often considered a sign of good luck.
Perhaps most surprising is the strength of some beetles. Dung beetles are famous for their ability to pull many times their own body weight, making them among the strongest animals on Earth relative to size. Other species can survive being stepped on, squeezed through narrow crevices, or dropped from considerable heights. Beetles have persisted through mass extinctions, ice ages, and dramatic changes in climate for hundreds of millions of years.
For more on currently endangered beetles, click the June bug on the flower!