Figeater Beetle Dress-Up Guide
Get ready to shimmer in the summer sun like a flying gemstone! Today, we are dressing up as one of the most brilliant, metallic insects in North America: the famous Figeater Beetle (Cotinis mutabilis)! With its velvety emerald-green back, shiny copper underside, and golden trim, this beetle looks like it stepped right out of a treasure chest.
Commonly spotted buzzing around backyard fruit trees and sunny gardens, Figeater Beetles are famous for their loud, low buzzing sound as they search for ripe figs, peaches, and grapes. They are big, harmless, and love a good summer fruit snack!
Here’s what you’ll need to put together your Figeater Beetle outfit.
Start out with this fabulous women’s velvet green pantsuit this bronze silk shirt. If you are a man or boy don’t feel left out. You can shine in this green sequin suit and bronze silk shirt. Put on a bronze or copper-colored shirt (or wrap a shiny copper sash around your waist over a green top) to represent the metallic underside of the beetle.
Wrap this golden scarf and let it extend down your sides to mimic the coloration of the fig beetle. If you run out of time or cash, use yellow ribbon or yellow painter’s tape and secure it along the side of your clothes.
For the eyes add these round retro sunglasses.
Don’t forget to carry around your basket of figs and share with all of your other bug friends.
🪲 Figeater Beetle Facts
Metallic Copper Underside
Flip the beetle over and its belly shines like polished metallic copper or shiny bronze green!
They Navigate by Smell, Not Sight
People often assume these beetles are blind because they crash into everything. However, their chaotic flight paths happen because they bypass visual navigation entirely, opting instead to track the odorless gases emitted by fermenting fruit.
The "Crawlyback" Grub
Before becoming a shiny beetle, its larva (grub) does something super silly: it crawls everywhere on its back! Despite having legs, their legs are completely useless for walking. Instead, they flip upside down onto their backs and use specialized stiff bristles to wiggle and propel themselves forward.
Loud & Clumsy Fliers
Figeater Beetles make a loud, heavy BZZZZZZ in flight. Because they fly with their hard wing covers slightly closed, they sometimes bump into leaves and fence posts in a funny, clumsy way!
Sweet Tooth Snackers
These beetles don't bite or sting! They use a small horn-like scoop on their head to dig into soft, ripe fruit like figs, peaches, plums, and berries. Because they are highly attracted to overripe, fermenting juices from fruit and cacti, figeater beetles frequently consume alcohol produced by natural fermentation. This sugary, fermenting diet enhances their already uncoordinated behavior.
Play The Clumsy Fruit Flier and Crawlyback Challenge!
Figeater Beetles love two things: crawling on their backs when they are grubs, and clumsily buzzing around fruit trees when they grow up!
How to Play:
Stage 1 – The Crawlyback Grub: Lay on a soft carpet or blanket on your back! Wiggle and slide backwards across the room without using your feet—just like a real Figeater grub!
Stage 2 – Metamorphosis Pop! Stand up, spread your emerald wings, and make a deep, low "BZZZZZZ-BZZZZZZ!" sound!
Stage 3 – The Clumsy Flight to the Fig Tree: Fly across the lawn in a funny, zigzag path, gently bouncing off inflatable beach balls or couch cushions ("leaves").
Stage 4 – RIPE FRUIT FEAST! Reach the "Fig Tree" (a fruit plate or table), scoop up a slice of peach or fig with your hands, and enjoy your sweet beetle snack!
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