Common cockchafer
Melolontha melolontha
Meet the Common cockchafer
The common cockchafer, also known as the May bug or doodlebug, is a large, stout beetle native to Europe and parts of Asia. Recognizable by its brown elytra, fan-like antennae, and distinctive white markings on the sides of the abdomen, this beetle is a prominent member of the Scarabaeidae family. Adults emerge in late spring and are known for their noisy flight and attraction to lights at night. The larvae, called white grubs, live underground for several years, feeding on plant roots and sometimes causing significant agricultural damage.
Wikipedia Data 🎥 6 Videos 📚 3 Sources Classification
Invertebrate
Habitat
Woodlands, forests, and agricultural areas
Diet
Herbivore
Lifespan
3-5 years (mainly as larvae)
Conservation
Least Concern
Weight
2-4 grams
📖Fascinating Facts
Noisy Flyers
Adult cockchafers are known for their loud, buzzing flight, which can often be heard at dusk in late spring.
Root-Eating Larvae
The larvae, called white grubs, feed on the roots of grasses and crops, sometimes causing serious agricultural damage.
Attracted to Light
Common cockchafers are strongly attracted to artificial lights at night, leading to frequent encounters with humans.
📋Detailed Description
The common cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha) is a robust scarab beetle, typically measuring 25–30 mm in length, with a characteristic convex, oval-shaped body. Its elytra are chestnut-brown and cover a black, densely punctured thorax and abdomen, which display distinctive white, triangular lateral patches formed by tufts of hair. The head is equipped with large, fan-shaped antennae composed of seven (males) or six (females) lamellae, which are highly sensitive to pheromones and play a crucial role in mate location. The legs are strong and adapted for digging, especially in larvae, which are creamy-white, C-shaped grubs with a brown head capsule and powerful mandibles. Adults are strong fliers, producing a loud buzzing sound, and are primarily nocturnal, often attracted to artificial lights. Their life cycle is notable for its length: larvae develop underground for 3–5 years, feeding on roots, before pupating and emerging as adults in late spring. Adults feed on the foliage of broad-leaved trees, such as oaks, beeches, and maples, sometimes causing significant defoliation. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in antennae size and is univoltine or semivoltine depending on local climate. Cockchafers are solitary but may aggregate in large numbers during mating flights, and their emergence is often synchronized, leading to conspicuous swarms.
💡 Did you know?
In medieval Europe, cockchafers were once put on trial and even excommunicated by local courts for crop destruction.
🔬Research & Sources
Wikipedia Summary
The common cockchafer, also colloquially known as the Maybug, Maybeetle, or doodlebug, is a species of scarab beetle belonging to the genus Melolontha. It is native to Europe, and it is one of several closely-related and morphologically similar species of Melolontha called cockchafers, alongside Melolontha hippocastani .
Last Modified: 5/27/2025
🎭Behavior & Social Structure
Cockchafers are primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, with adults becoming active at dusk. They exhibit positive phototaxis, often flying toward lights in large numbers. Feeding occurs on the leaves of deciduous trees, with adults using their strong mandibles to chew foliage, sometimes resulting in visible damage to host plants. Larvae are subterranean and feed on the roots of grasses and crops, making them significant agricultural pests. Adults are solitary outside of the breeding season but may form temporary aggregations during mating flights, especially in warm, calm weather. Flight activity peaks in late spring, with individuals often flying clumsily and producing a characteristic buzzing sound. Defensive behaviors include feigning death (thanatosis) and releasing a foul-smelling fluid from abdominal glands when threatened.
👶Reproduction & Life Cycle
Mating occurs shortly after adult emergence, typically in May and June. Males locate females through pheromonal cues detected by their enlarged antennae. After copulation, females burrow into loose, sandy or loamy soil to lay eggs, depositing 20–30 eggs per clutch and up to 80 eggs in total over several weeks. The eggs hatch after 4–6 weeks, and the larvae (white grubs) begin feeding on plant roots. Larval development lasts 3–5 years, depending on temperature and food availability, with three distinct instars. Pupation occurs in an earthen chamber at a depth of 20–40 cm, lasting 4–6 weeks. Adults overwinter underground and emerge the following spring. There is no parental care; all developmental stages are independent after egg-laying.
🛡️Adaptations & Survival
The cockchafer's lamellate antennae are highly specialized for detecting sex pheromones, facilitating mate location over long distances. Larvae possess robust mandibles and a strong, curved body adapted for burrowing and feeding on tough plant roots. The adult's cryptic coloration and tufts of white hair provide camouflage among leaf litter. Their synchronized emergence in large numbers is an evolutionary strategy to overwhelm predators (predator satiation). Adults can feign death and emit deterrent chemicals to avoid predation. The extended larval stage allows exploitation of stable underground food resources and reduces exposure to above-ground threats.
🎨Cultural Significance
The cockchafer has played a prominent role in European folklore and culture, often symbolizing the arrival of spring. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, swarms were so abundant that children collected them for games, and they featured in songs and nursery rhymes. The beetle is referenced in literature, such as Goethe's works, and was once used as a food source for poultry or even as a novelty snack. Its periodic outbreaks have made it both a symbol of agricultural hardship and natural abundance. In some regions, the cockchafer was believed to predict weather or harvest outcomes.
🔬Recent Research & Discoveries
Recent research has focused on the cockchafer's pheromone communication, with identification of key volatile compounds mediating mate attraction. Studies on larval gut microbiota have revealed symbiotic bacteria aiding in cellulose digestion. Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies are under development, including biological control with entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi. Genomic studies are ongoing to elucidate genes involved in detoxification and resistance to pesticides. Long-term monitoring projects track population dynamics in response to climate change and land use. There is also renewed interest in the ecological role of cockchafers as prey for birds and mammals.
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🌍Habitat Information
The Common cockchafer typically inhabits Woodlands, forests, and agricultural areas environments. Common cockchafers have adapted to their environments with specialized features and behaviors.
Primary Habitat:
Woodlands, forests, and agricultural areas
More detailed habitat information will be available soon.
🛡️Conservation Status
The Common cockchafer is currently classified as Least Concern. Conservation efforts are crucial for preserving this species for future generations.
Common Threats:
- 🏠Habitat loss and fragmentation
- 🌡️Climate change impacts
- 🎯Hunting and poaching
- 🏭Human-wildlife conflict
⚠️Threats & Conservation Challenges
Historically, cockchafer populations experienced dramatic fluctuations, with outbreaks causing severe agricultural damage in Europe. Intensive pesticide use in the mid-20th century led to drastic declines, but populations have partially recovered following pesticide restrictions. Current threats include habitat loss due to agricultural intensification, soil compaction, and continued use of soil insecticides. Natural predators (birds, mammals, parasitic wasps, and nematodes) and fungal pathogens also regulate populations. Climate change may alter emergence timing and larval development rates. The species is currently listed as Least Concern, but local outbreaks and declines are closely monitored due to its pest status.
🔬Scientific Classification
Scientific Name
Melolontha melolontha
Classification Hierarchy
🔍 About Taxonomic Classification
Taxonomic classification is a hierarchical system used by scientists to classify and organize living organisms based on shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships.
The system moves from broad categories (Kingdom) to increasingly specific ones, with each animal's scientific name typically consisting of its Genus and species.
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