Fig Beetle

Large, metallic green beetle with a bronze-edged body, often seen flying noisily around ripening fruit in summer.

Larvae (large white grubs) develop in compost or rich soil over a year; adults emerge in summer to feed and mate.

Adults feed on ripe and overripe figs and other soft fruit, enlarging wounds started by birds or splitting; larvae feed on decaying organic matter in soil and compost, rarely harming living roots.

Pick ripe fruit promptly. Use traps baited with fruit juice away from the tree. Net trees if damage is severe.

Harvest fruit as soon as ripe and remove fallen or split fruit that attracts adults.