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Melolontha melolontha

Common cockchafer

Description

This is a beetle about 20-30 mm long. The ventral side of the abdomen is black and white. The adults swarm towards the end of April and in early May. They fly onto broadleaved stand edges. Adults perform maturation feeding on leaves. They are active especially at twilight. During the day, they rest motionlessly on the leaves or twigs. Their feeding is usually concentrated on the stand edges and treetops. During outbreak they can cause defoliation. After mating, the females lay eggs into the soil. From the eggs hatch grubs which feed on herb and bush roots. Grub development takes 3-4 years. The pest prefers stands at an altitude up to 600 meters above sea level.

Symptom

The adults are about 20-30 mm long. The larvae are harmful to the roots of trees and herbs. It damages especially the roots of pine trees.

Tree Species: Pine, Birch, Beech, Oak, Hornbeam, Rowan, Whitebeam, Maple, Lime, Poplar

Part of a plant- attacked: Roots, Leaf / Needle

Pest Category: Insects

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes

Seasonal frequency of occurrence

Seasonal frequency of occurrence