20/05/2022
So yesterday after my surprise visitor I looked it up more...
t isn't actually a bug and doesn't only fly in May, but the UK's largest chafer beetle is easy to spot.
Seen for the first time, an adult cockchafer, or May bug, can cause a bit of a stir and people can be worried by them. Cockchafers, Melolontha, are relatively large beetles belonging to the scarab family. Adults are 2.5-3cm long, and are common in the south of England and the Midlands. The name cockchafer means 'big beetle' in Old English.
Cockchafers spend most of their lives (three to four years) underground as larvae, or grubs. The grubs are white and C-shaped with six legs and reddish-brown heads.
They can be larger than the adults, growing to up to 4cm and are a food source for owls and bats.
Grubs eat the roots of a variety of plants and in large numbers can become pests damaging pastures and crops.
Although one of their common names is the May bug, if climate conditions are right, adult cockchafer beetles are often seen flying in April. Adult cockchafers only live for about 5 or 6 weeks. During that time, they look for a mate and fly into the tree tops to feed on leaves. They fly at dusk on warm evenings, making a noisy hum, and are attracted to light.
‘They sometimes mistake chimney stacks for tree tops and occasionally fall down chimneys into open fireplaces. Poor little things!
