Alt Name. Essex Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading conservation charity. They feed on plant roots, for instance potato roots. Maikaefer, Larve, Melolontha, Maikaeferlarve, Engerling. The common cockchafer lays its eggs in fields, whereas the Forest Cockchafer stays in the vicinity of the trees. The Cockchafer has long been a source of fascination for children. Description: The cockchafer is about 2.5cm in length and is the largest species of chafer beetle in the UK. What We Do . Male Orange tip butterfly Photo - Sam Chamberlin. Adult cockchafers feed on tree leaves. Before pesticides came on the market, cockchafers were controlled by the collection and killing of adults, which worked moderately well. Main navigation. They mostly come out after the sun has set and can be seen flying around streetlights and lighted windows. Host Plants: In the garden: Grass/lawns. Adult cockchafers feed on tree leaves. This large beetle has ribbed wing cases (elytra) that are reddish-brown in colour, and the head and the pronotum are blackish and covered in short hairs. Listen out for the characteristic buzzing sound these big, brown beetles make. They live underground as larvae for years and emerge as adults often in large numbers. A similar game is reported in Victorian England, when children would stick a pin through a wing to create a similar effect. Skip to main content Search. The larvae (grubs) have a whitish curved body, large head, with strong mandibles and long, hairy, well developed yellow legs. Cockchafer also called Maybug or doodlebug European beetle genus Melolontha family Scarabaeidae. Cockchafer beetle. Cockchafer larva live underground. They are large, brown beetles who spend the first few years of their lives as larvae underground. About us. Cockchafer beetle. The common cockchafer, or 'May Bug', can often be seen swarming around street lights in spring. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/how-to-identify-cockchafer-may-bug.html Larva of two may beetle (Melolontha) on the dirt. Cockchafer larvae can be a pest of some cereal and vegetable crops when present in large numbers. They live underground as larvae for years and emerge as adults often in large numbers. The common cockchafer lays its eggs in fields, whereas the Forest Cockchafer stays in the vicinity of the trees. Because of this, the beetle was subjected to heavy pest control throughout history. Common Cockchafer, larva, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany / (Melolontha melolontha) / Maybug. Thank you. The preferred food for adults is oak leaves, but they will also feed on conifer needles. Larvae live underground for years, emerging as adults together. Cockchafer Description. Common cockchafer | … It takes three or four years for the larvae to fully develop. The common cockchafer is also known as a May bug as they often emerge as adults during the month of May. The preferred food for adults is oak leaves, but they will also feed on conifer needles. They live underground as larvae for years and emerge as adults often in large numbers. When just laid, the oval eggs of the common cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha) are 2 x 3 mm, but they increase in size by absorbing water. Skip to main content Durham Wildlife Trust. Main navigation. Search. Listen for their characteristic buzzing sound. Species; Additional images; Click here to support NatureSpot by making a donation - small or large - your gift is very much appreciated. The larvae, known as "white grubs" or "chafer grubs", hatch after four to six weeks. Listen for their characteristic buzzing sound. Where Found: Throughout UK (although more common in the southern counties) and Europe. Listen for their characteristic buzzing sound. Listen for their characteristic buzzing sound. 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