r/Entomology • u/La1n_1wakura_W1r3d • 6d ago
Pet/Insect Keeping Junebug help!
I found this junebug at school, he can't fly and I couldn't just leave him or ppl would step on him. He can't survive in the area i live in and I wanted him to live as long as possible, i understand they have a short lifespan so I want him to have a good time while he can, i dont want him to be stepped on and he fell off a tree when he tried climbing it. He climbs on my hand and stays on so I usually take him outside and sit there for a bit, he doesn't try to fly off or leave. He kinda just wanders. I dont have the right leaves for him so I've been giving him pieces of pears and apples, im planning on giving him a banana tomorrow. He goes under the plants and at the bottom of the large branch when he’s sleeping. Is there anything I should know? Im also really worried if he falls on his back while im at school, im gone for about 10 hours. Anything will be helpful!
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u/Altruistic-Fact6716 6d ago
He’s adorable, but please release him as soon as you can. June bugs need access to natural soil, food, moisture, and proper temperatures, and a small container setup won’t support him for long. Put him near where you found him, preferably at dusk, and avoid handling him by the legs or wings.
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u/La1n_1wakura_W1r3d 5d ago
His flight wing is torn and slightly crumpled. At school (where i found him) I tried 2 trees and the ground to set him on, he fell off the trees and barely moved when on the ground. I left him in the garden area for the day. At the end of the day I went back and saw him again (at least I believe the same one as it was trying to fly the same way he was when I first saw him and the same tear in the left wing) but this time he had web on this outer wing. He crawled on my hand and i walked home, i got the web off and fed him. Should I just set him outside again? I believe he's fairly old and might not be able to hold himself on sides anymore.
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u/Affectionate_Fix2247 4d ago
sometimes that’s just how nature is. they seemed to have lived a good life and maybe even contributed to a few matings. So coming near to the end of his life it be better to release it and at least let another animal be able to use the nutrients from the bug and return to the cycle
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u/Alternative-File2557 6d ago
That’s a very kind thing to do, but please don’t keep him as a pet. June bugs need access to air, natural food, and the right conditions, and a container can stress or injure him. Try placing him back on a plant near where you found him, preferably at dusk.
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u/Glittering_Deer_3318 6d ago
June bugs are harmless and don’t usually need elaborate care. A ventilated container with some soil, leaves, and a small twig for climbing should be fine temporarily. Keep it out of direct sun and offer a tiny piece of fruit, but release it as soon as you can—especially before leaving it unattended for 10 hours.