Early interest concerning the control of the green June beetle, Cotinis nitida Linn., also called the fig-eater, was recorded during the middle of the nineteenth century. Since that time farmers in Virginia and other Southeastern States have been trying to find better methods for the control of this insect. The larvae of this beetle, . en present in large numbers, are capable of almost completely destroying certain forage crops such as alfalfa and clover, not by direct feeding, but from the results of their search for food.

The adult, although not of prime economic importance in this region, does cause considerable economic losses. It feeds on fruits from a number of different species of plants such as grapes, peaches, raspberries, apples, pears, plums and in particular figs, hence the common name fig-eater. A definite affinity also is shown towards certain grains such as corn and sorghum.