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June bug

or June·bug

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noun
  1. Also called May beetle. any of several large, brown beetles of the genus Phyllophaga, of the scarab family, appearing in late spring and early summer.
  2. green June beetle.
  3. Chiefly Northern and North Midland U.S. a firefly.

Origin of June bug

First recorded in 1825–35
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for junebug

Historical Examples

  • I heard Captain Porter tell father that they would be down on us, like a hawk on a Junebug, before we see the sun rise again.

    Frank in the Mountains

    Harry Castlemon

British Dictionary definitions for junebug

June bug

June beetle

noun
  1. any of various large brown North American scarabaeid beetles that are common in late spring and early summer, esp any of the genus PolyphyllaAlso called: May beetle, May bug
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for junebug

n.

also june bug, 1829, name for various beetles which emerge in adult form and are active in June, first attested in Southern U.S. dialect, from June + bug (n.).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper