Insect
Common Cockchafer
Melolontha melolonthaAlso known as May Bug
Common Cockchafers are heavy chestnut beetles whose males carry conspicuous fan-shaped antennae. Adults fly noisily around trees at dusk, while curved white larvae spend years underground feeding on roots.
Scarabaeid BeetleFan AntennaeTwilight Flier
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyTree leaves, Grass roots, Herb roots
Predators
- Bats
- Owls
- Moles
ThreatsBroad-spectrum pesticides, intensive agriculture, soil disturbance, and loss of mixed habitat
HabitatsMeadows, farmland, woodland edges, gardens, parks, and deciduous forest
Life spanUsually three to four years as a larva followed by several weeks as an adult
Classification
- FamilyScarabaeidae
- SpeciesMelolontha melolontha
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Observe resting beetles without spraying, collecting, or removing them from vegetation.
Responsible observation
- Antennae: Check males for broad fans made of several movable plates.
- Timing: Watch tree margins at twilight for slow, buzzing flight.
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