The Figeater Beetle (Cotinis mutabilis), or the Escarbajo verde de junio in Spanish, is not native to southern California. It immigrated here by way of the agriculture industry; because it eats fruit, it stowed away on produce coming to and leaving California.

Their mouthparts are too weak to rip open healthy fruits like tomatoes, peaches, figs, and plums, and are usually found taking advantage of damage done to these fruits by other animals and insects. Adults are shiny and bright green with a scarab shape and lay eggs in decaying matter like compost or dung. Following pupation in the springtime, adults will emerge later in the summer.  

To learn more about figeater beetles online, please visit the Bug Guide.

PHOTO CREDIT: Wayne P. Armstrong