Cockchafers
ExploreInsects
Cockchafers
Melolontha
Cockchafers are big, brown beetles that come out in the spring. They love to fly around at night and can be found in gardens and fields. Their larvae, called grubs, live in the soil and help the earth stay healthy.
Habitat: Grasslands, Gardens
Appearance
The Cockchafer has a robust, oval body, typically reddish-brown with a distinct black head and pronotum. Its ridged wing cases cover delicate flight wings, and males feature prominent fan-like antennae, making it visually distinct from smaller scarab beetles.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderColeopteraFamilyScarabaeidaeGenusMelolontha
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Adult cockchafers only live for about 5-6 weeks, just long enough to mate and lay eggs.
Every few years, there's a "Cockchafer year" where thousands emerge all at once!
Males have special fan-like antennae they use to "smell" females from far away.
They spend up to five years as a grub underground before becoming an adult beetle!
Special abilities
Ability
Root Grubbing Power
Cockchafer larvae can spend years underground munching on roots, helping them store energy for their big transformation into an adult beetle.
Ability
Night-Time Navigators
Cockchafers can fly through the evening sky, guided by special sensors on their antennae that help them find mates and food in the dark.
Ability
Antennae Radar
Male Cockchafers have fan-like antennae that act like radar, helping them sniff out female pheromones from far away to find a partner.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 45-60 mm
- Size
- 25-30 mm
- Lifespan
- 30-45 days
- Flight Speed
- 9 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adults munch on tree leaves and flowers, while their grubs feast on plant roots underground!
Age differences: Larvae (grubs) eat roots underground, while adults feed on leaves and flowers of trees and shrubs.
Primary Foods
- Oak leaves
- Beech leaves
- Fruit tree leaves
- Grass roots
- Clover
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Common Pipistrelle
Pipistrellus pipistrellus
Bats hunt adult cockchafers during their evening flights.
eaten by
European Hedgehog
Erinaceus europaeus
Hedgehogs find and eat cockchafer grubs and adults.
eats
Pedunculate Oak
Quercus robur
Adult cockchafers feed on the leaves of oak trees.
eats
European Beech
Fagus sylvatica
Adults also consume the foliage of beech trees.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Giant
Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
May Bug
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Cockchafers are not dangerous, but it's best to watch them from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cockchafers's wingspan?
45-60 mm
How big is Cockchafers?
25-30 mm
How long does Cockchafers live?
30-45 days
How fast can Cockchafers fly?
9 km/h
What does Cockchafers eat?
Adults munch on tree leaves and flowers, while their grubs feast on plant roots underground!
Where is Cockchafers usually found?
Grasslands, Gardens
How does Cockchafers hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Cockchafers have?
6
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