green fruit beetle

plural green fruit beetles

1. A beetle (Cotinis mutabilis) that ranges from central Texas across the southwestern United States and Mexico and feeds on cactus, desert trees, and cultivated fruit.

   Often mistaken for their smaller relative the Japanese beetle, green fruit beetles feed on fruit trees.

   2011 June 22, Katherine Barrington, “How to Kill the Green Fruit Beetle”, in Garden Guides

   1 more example

   Since these pests are attracted to the smell of ripe fruit, harvest frequently. Also, you can plant crops that ripen earlier in the season to avoid feeding green fruit beetles.

   2015 July 15, “Green Fruit Beetle”, in The Daily Garden

   Synonyms: figeater beetle, fig-eater