Bird net with 3/8" opening keeps them out. 1/2" opening keeps most of them out.

When a few get through the 1/2" openings, just shake the tree a little bit, and then they land on the net to try and escape, smack them with a large serving spoon. That kills them. I have quite a pile around my Vista tree, which is their favorite. Have to give them credit for having good taste. Later they will focus on the Panache.

Harvey,

Took these photos few days ago. After raining for two days, some of the figs that were close to being ripe, did split. Found this guy on one the figs.

Navid.

Navid, glad you only found one!  Even more glad I've found none! ;)

"You can tie a string to one of their legs, and fly them sort of like a kite. "
__________________

Jon, that gave me a flashback. We used to do that with a similar Beatle when we were kids.
5 or 6 feet of mom's sewing thread - check!
Ripening cherry tree - check!

We'd give the tree a good thump, and these guys would drop. We'd rush to them
before they could take to the air.
...I hope Francisco reads this post...we called that bug Zangao.
It was hours of fun. When they got tired of flying, we'd cut them loose
and kick the tree again.
Jon, are you sure you're not Portuguese?

Saw these beetles for the first time, in the Pelham Gardens area of The Bronx.  Not a great sight to see them devouring the figs on the tree.  They have wings, and they fly.  I live within a few miles from this de-figged tree.  How long will it take before they start to really spread?  Note:  This one tree is the only one that I have ever seen that had a fig-beetle problem. 

Watch out Smaritza!


Frank

The June bugs showed up and ate about 6 partially ripe HC figs while I was busy elsewhere for a few days.

Do you suppose this could be why importing potentially infected cuttings from other countries and even some states is so actively discouraged by the FDA?

June beetle on a string...

What? No, Figeater beetles are pretty harmless as far as most insects go. I'm very surprised and, quite frankly, shocked and disappointed with some of these posts. Figeater beetles do not cause nearly as much damage as the closely related Japanese beetles and Green June beetles. They are not considered pests and have no regulations placed on their populations by the US. You should at least learn to respect all life. If they're causing problems in your garden, try to resort to natural and humane solutions before using violence. Some of the things that you people have resorted to, i.e. trapping and drowning etc. are all pretty disgusting. Just saying, hope you all have a great day.

I found one of these beetles in my orchard last year and thought it was the beginning of something bad, but that was the extent of it.  This year I've seen none.  Sometimes these can be a serious pest, not something most would consider harmless.  My friend who sent me the photo in the original post of this thread was losing most of his fruit to them at that time.

Frank I agree with you, the nerve her first post?