June Bugs Harmful to Bamboo?

[Kanoth]

Recently the june bugs (Cotinis mutabilis) have come out. I find them hanging out in my bamboo. It seems they're just doing that, hanging out. I've tried to see if they're eating it but they seem to just be sitting there. I dont see any damage to my bamboo but I thought I'd check here just in case.

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Kanoth,
According to this article about the June Beetle or Figeater Beetle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figeater_beetle) (Cotinis mutabilis)

More damage is done by the larvae, which thrive in decaying organic matter such as compost piles and also burrow into turf and feed on the roots of grass, where they can severely damage a lawn.

In my previous bamboo garden in Pennsylvania, Japanese Beetle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_beetle) (Popillia japonica) larvae fed on grass roots in my lawn.
Here in central Texas we have another grub species that does the same thing. Not sure of the species.
It may be the one also known as the June Beetle (http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/bimg139.html) (Phyllophaga sp.)

At both locations I had removed areas of lawn (and remember digging up a lot of grubs) and let bamboo grow into these areas.
The bamboo does not seem to be affected by their presence in the adjacent remaining lawn, though at times when I've been digging in some of the bamboo beds I have find an occasional grub.
I would suspect (though have not seen direct evidence) that because bamboo is a grass that the larvae might be feeding on some roots, but have not seen any adverse affects.
When I once had a few chickens, these grubs were considered by them as a favorite delicacy.
I have not dared to try them out for myself. ;)

Mark

[Kanoth]

That's the information I saw as well, alright then. I'll just let them hang out as they like. I've got no fear or love for them so might as well let them be.