Common Cockchafer - Melolontha melolontha

This large beetle has ribbed wing cases (elytra) that are reddish-brown in colour, and the head and the pronotum are blackish and covered in short hairs. The fan-like antennae are longer in males than females.

Frequents hedgerows and gardens. It is attracted to light, and often crashes into lighted windows at night during early summer.

May and June are the peak period for adults.

The larvae are fat white grubs (often called Rook worms) that typically have a curved body shape and live in the soil. They can grow up to 40 to 46 mm in length.

Quite common in southern Britain at least.

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland and often drawn to MV light traps. There were a total of 128 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.