Kirby interviewed by BDN for article on June bugs
The Bangor Daily News interviewed Clay Kirby, an associate scientist and insect diagnostician with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, for an article on June bugs. The insects are common in the summer, to the dismay of many, but Kirby explained that they are really nothing to worry about. Since there are several species in Maine, people might think they live longer than they do. “Typically June bugs do not live more than several weeks,” said Kirby. June bugs are not harmful to humans, and though their diet consists of tree bark they do not cause significant tree damage, according to the BDN. But Kirby acknowledges they can be startling. “They bang up against screens and windows at night and then make that buzzing sound with their wings. So maybe it’s just about the things that go bump in the night,” said Kirby.