# May Beetles (*Phyllophaga*) May beetles are big, brown insects that come out in the spring. They love to fly around at night and can sometimes be seen buzzing around lights. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![May Beetles](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Phyllophaga_spPCCP20040419-4076A2.jpg&width=800) Photo: Patrick Coin ( Patrick Coin ), CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phyllophaga_spPCCP20040419-4076A2.jpg) ## Appearance The May Beetle has a stocky, oval-shaped body, typically reddish-brown or dark brown, often with a slightly iridescent sheen. Its back is covered by tough, grooved wing covers (elytra) that protect its delicate flight wings underneath. It is visually different from many other beetles by its relatively large size and characteristic robust, hairy appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Scarabaeidae - **Genus:** Phyllophaga ## Interesting facts - Adult May beetles are clumsy fliers, often bumping into porch lights at night. - Female May beetles lay hundreds of tiny eggs deep in the soil. Wow! - Some years, they emerge in such huge numbers they can strip trees bare. - Their underground larvae, called white grubs, can take years to grow! ## Special abilities - **Burrowing Grubs:** May Beetles can live underground for years because their larvae (grubs) have strong jaws to munch on roots, staying safe from predators. - **Night Navigator:** May Beetles can find their way in the dark because they use sensitive antennae to detect scents and find mates at night. - **Leaf Stripper:** May Beetles can munch through leaves quickly because they have strong mandibles that help them feed on plants after dark. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-50 mm - **Size:** 12-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 365-1095 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults munch on leaves and flowers, while larvae feast on plant roots underground. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat roots underground; adults feed on leaves and flowers. - **Primary Foods:** Tree leaves, Shrub leaves, Grass roots, Plant roots - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Provides leaves for adult beetles to eat. - **Eats:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Feeds on May Beetle larvae found in soil. - **Parasitizes:** Spring Tiphia Wasp (*Tiphia vernalis*) — Lays eggs on May Beetle larvae underground. - **Eats:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Digs up and eats May Beetle larvae from lawns. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low May beetles are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify May Beetles? Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is May Beetles's wingspan? 25-50 mm ### How big is May Beetles? 12-25 mm ### How long does May Beetles live? 365-1095 days ### How fast can May Beetles fly? 8 km/h ### What does May Beetles eat? Adults munch on leaves and flowers, while larvae feast on plant roots underground. ### Where is May Beetles usually found? Grasslands ### How does May Beetles hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/falls-of-the-ohio-national-wildlife-conservation-area) — Indiana, US · Nature Reserve - [Selmier State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/selmier-state-forest) — Indiana, US · Forest - [Hyner View State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hyner-view-state-park) — Pennsylvania, US · State Park [View all places to see May Beetles](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/may-beetles) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [May Beetles: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/may-beetles)