June Bug Day
Jun 7
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"Who flies like a drunk driver,
lurching through the nighttime sky?
The May Beetle Called a June Bug
In the Middle of July"
~Jamie Tanner, "The May Beetle" (2018)
If a beetle comes to visit you during a Scottish Country Dance and joins the set, you may be in for a spell of good luck. Folkore says that if a beetle alights on you, good luck will follow you around. Or better yet, if you’re ill and a beetle lands on you, it will take away your illness! But if you harm the beetle, woe betide you. Be especially mindful of wandering beetles and curious moths that flitter or flutter into a summer set. And in some locales, remember to shake out your ghillies before you put them on. Have you ever been visited by the odd creature who unexpectedly crashed your set? Do tell! 🐞
The May Beetle's Dance
Jamie Tanner's latest poetic endeavor, inspired by the appearance of "June Bugs/May Beetles/July Insects" at a Thursday rehearsal of The Red Thistle Dancers.
Jamie: "May beetles have extremely limited abilities to perform Scottish Country Dance, but you have to give them credit for trying."
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WHO flies like a drunk driver,
lurching through the nighttime sky?
The May Beetle
Called a June Bug
In the Middle of July
Who sees the Red Thistles Dancers,
and wants to give SCD a try?
The May Beetle
Called a June Bug
In the Middle of July
Who when thrown out the door,
turns to smack Dilip in the eye?
The May Beetle
Called a June Bug
In the Middle of July
~ Jamie Tanner, middle of July, 2018
June beetle is the common name for several scarab beetles that appear around June in temperate parts of North America: The green June beetle is active during daylight hours. The adult is usually 15–22 mm (0.6–0.9 in) long with dull, metallic green wings; its sides are gold and the head, legs and underside are very bright shiny green. Their habitat extends from Maine to Georgia, and as far west as California.
Although some may not think of them as attractive, nevertheless, the phrase “cute as a June bug” is a common expression, particularly in the American south.
For a set of jeweled colour beetles and bugs that are quite beautiful, click the dancing beetle!
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
