Cockchafer

Name: Cockchafer

Scientific name: Melolontha melolontha

Category: Minibeasts

Nature Stars: 40

What are nature stars?

About: A large brown beetle, up to 3.5cm long, found in parks and gardens, grassland and woodland. Fan-like antennae. Cockchafer larvae live underground, eating the roots of grasses and other plants. In May and June, the adults emerge. Cockchafers fly around tree tops in the evenings, often attracted to street lights and lighted windows. Will turn up in moth traps, sometimes in large numbers.

How to identify: Unmistakeable. Much larger than the other chafers.

Where: Widespread, but rarer in the north.

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 10
• Agility: 60
• Rarity: 50
• Cute factor: 20
• Traveller: 50

Fantastic fact: Also known as the May Bug.

Photograph credit: Mick E. Talbot