This is
probably the largest beetle most people are ever likely
to come across, although they are rarely seen. They are
strongly attracted to light and frequently turn up at
moth traps or lighted windows. A member of the
Scarabaeidae family, the Cockchafer is an imposing
species and makes a loud buzzing noise in flight, but is
totally harmless. The fan-like antennae are longer in
males than females. Adult Cockchafers eat leaves and
flowers of a range of deciduous trees, plants and shrubs
but the larvae can be serious pests of grasses and
cereals, as they live in the soil and feed on roots. The
Cockchafer occurs in a range of habitats including
gardens and has declined in recent years. |