Adult May beetles eat plant leaves (the genus name, Phyllophaga, means “leaf eater”) and flowers. Larval May beetles (grubs) eat roots and decaying plant material in the soil. When they are numerous, then can damage lawns, gardens, and crops.

Are May beetles harmful?

Nor do they bite or sting. These seasonal bugs are annoying, but they're largely harmless to humans and animals.

Can May beetles bite?

Can beetles bite? The simple answer is, yes, they can. Beetles have chewing mouthparts so, technically, they can bite. Some species have well-developed jaws or mandibles used for catching and consuming prey.