Cockchafer, Melolontha melolontha
Maybug, Melolontha melolontha (submitted by NaturePlus user nealhume)
Cockchafers have reddish-brown wing cases, a hairy head and body, and noticeable white triangles down the side of the body. Their short, brown, clubbed antennae are particularly characteristic – they open up like the pages of a book.
These relatively large beetles are also known as May bugs because the adult beetles are commonly seen in May. They are associated with good weather and in most years are also seen in April and June. They live for just over a month.
Attracted to artificial light, they will sometimes be found in houses, but they are harmless.
Cockchafers can grow to about 3cm long and are usually twice the size of the similar-looking summer chafer, Amphimallon solstitialis.
Watch the cockchafer on video and find out about its lifecycle and where it lives
