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Summer Chafer

Amphimallon solstitiale

The Summer Chafer is a big, brown beetle that loves to fly around in the warm summer months. They are often seen buzzing near flowers and gardens, making them a fun sight to see!

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Summer Chafer is a chunky, reddish-brown beetle covered in fine yellowish hairs. It has distinctive fan-like antennae and often appears slightly clumsy when flying. Its shiny wing cases protect delicate flight wings, setting it apart from other common beetles.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderColeopteraFamilyScarabaeidaeGenusAmphimallon
Summer Chafer
solitary trait badgeherbivorous trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badgediurnal trait badge
Summer Chafer

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Baby Summer Chafers live underground for up to three years before they become adult beetles!

Hundreds of Summer Chafers can emerge from the soil at the exact same time, like a secret army!

These beetles are clumsy flyers, often bumping into windows or lights at dusk.

They only live for a few short weeks as adults, making their summer appearance a sprint!

Special abilities

Ability

Night Vision Navigator

Summer Chafer has large eyes that help them navigate and fly through the evening sky looking for mates.

Ability

Feathery Antennae

Summer Chafer has special antennae that fan out to detect the faintest scents of flowers or other chafers.

Ability

Hairy Harvester

Summer Chafer's bristly body allows it to collect pollen while feeding, helping plants to make seeds.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
30-40 mm
Size
14-20 mm
Lifespan
20-40 days
Flight Speed
10-15 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults nibble leaves and sip nectar; larvae munch on plant roots underground.

Age differences: Larvae eat roots underground, while adults nibble leaves and sip nectar from flowers.

Primary Foods

  • Tree leaves
  • Shrub leaves
  • Flower nectar
  • Grass roots
  • Plant roots

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Greater Mouse-eared Bat

Myotis myotis

Bats hunt flying chafers at dusk using echolocation.

eaten by

European Hedgehog

Erinaceus europaeus

Hedgehogs sniff out and eat larvae or adult chafers on the ground.

eats

Pedunculate Oak

Quercus robur

Adult chafers occasionally feed on the leaves of oak trees.

pollinates

Common Daisy

Bellis perennis

The chafer helps move pollen between daisy flowers as it feeds.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Summer Chafers are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Summer Chafer's wingspan?

30-40 mm

How big is Summer Chafer?

14-20 mm

How long does Summer Chafer live?

20-40 days

How fast can Summer Chafer fly?

10-15 km/h

What does Summer Chafer eat?

Adults nibble leaves and sip nectar; larvae munch on plant roots underground.

Where is Summer Chafer usually found?

Urban areas

How does Summer Chafer hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Summer Chafer have?

6

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