- the essentials in brief
- May beetle vs June beetle - comparison
- Ladybug - symbol of good luck and beneficial
- Differences to rose chafer
- frequently asked Questions
In May and June things get really busy in gardens, parks, fields and forests. Flocks of brown beetles come out of the ground, celebrate their wedding dance and feed on the plants. Two genera of beetles called May beetles and June beetles are responsible for the hustle and bustle. A direct comparison reveals striking differences and reveals the secret of which beetle you are encountering.
June beetles are very hairy, May beetles less
Table of Contents
Show all- the essentials in brief
- May beetle June beetle comparison
- Differences to rose chafer
- frequently asked Questions
- May beetles and June beetles differ in size, coloration, antennae shape and hair.
- In direct comparison, a cockchafer is larger, differently colored, has fan-shaped antennae and thinner hair.
- The scientifically correct name of the June beetle is ribbed fallow beetle (Amphimallon solstitiale).
the essentials in brief
May beetle vs June beetle - comparison
It is not surprising that nature lovers and hobby gardeners often lump May beetles and June beetles together. Both beetles look confusingly similar at first glance, because May beetles and June beetles belong to the scarab beetle family (Scarabaeidae). Only on closer inspection do noticeable differences become apparent, which make a direct comparison meaningful. The following table is peppered with information on how to tell the difference between May beetles and June beetles:
| differences | cockchafer | June beetle |
|---|---|---|
| botanical name | Melolontha melolontha, M. hippocastani | Amphimallon solstitiale |
| common name | Field cockchafer, forest cockchafer | Ribbed tufted beetle |
| size | 2.2-3.5cm | 1.4-1.8cm |
| color | reddish brown, dark brown, black | leather yellow to light brown |
| drawing | white spots on the back side | none |
| hairiness | close fitting, white, spotted | bristly, covering, brown |
| sensor | fan-shaped, prominent | tripartite, unremarkable |
| peak flight time | May | June and July |
| activity | diurnal | crepuscular and nocturnal |
Regardless of the common family name scarab beetle, there are clear differences between May beetles and June beetles. These deviations are explained in more detail below:
Look
Cockchafers are reddish brown on top and black on the underside
A different coloring of the individual body parts is characteristic of the cockchafer. The elytra are reddish brown to dark brown. The head, pronotum and underside of the trunk are black. Striking is a conspicuous drawing on the flanks of the abdomen in the form of white, triangular spots reminiscent of a zigzag pattern. A patchy, light hair is just visible on the may beetle or you can feel it with your finger.
The June beetle comes with a uniform, light brown body colour. Furthermore, it dispenses with the concise decoration with lateral zigzag lines. However, a June beetle cannot completely resist some decorative ornaments. Three raised ribs on each elytra are its trademark, to which the ribbed curlew beetle owes its name. Another outstanding difference to the may beetle is a pronounced hair covering the entire beetle.
Do you still have doubts about the May beetle vs June beetle comparison? Then take a look at the feelers. The may beetle proudly carries its awe-inspiring antennae with fan-shaped clubs boasting six to seven lamellae. The number of lamellae reveals the sex of the beetle. Six lamellae on the fan antenna identify a female. If you count seven lamellae on the antennae, it is a male. In contrast, the tripartite, small antennae of the ribbed tawny beetle appear very modest.
peak flight time and activity
June beetles do not fly out to find a bride until June
June bugs take it slower than cockchafers. When adult ribbed curlew beetles soar through the air on their mating flight in June and July, cockchafers have long since finished planning their families. For field cockchafers and wood cockchafers, the main flight period extends from the end of April to the end of May. From time to time in June there are still a few latecomers among the may beetles, which are erroneously called June beetles.
Furthermore, June beetles like to oversleep and while away the day and only fly off at dusk. In contrast, cockchafers are avid early risers and do most of their beetle duties during daylight hours.
Larvae in a uniform look
With regard to the cycle and appearance of their larvae, there is no significant difference between May beetles and June beetles. Fertilized females lay their eggs in the ground, in close proximity to plants of all kinds. Immediately after hatching, the caterpillars start feeding by eating the roots. The appearance is characterized by the typical grub shape, which gives no indication of the later beetle species. Each grub completes a cycle of 3 to 5 years, has a cylindrical body with a brown head and assumes a hunched posture. Only when, after two to three hibernations and pupation, the finished beetle emerges from the ground does it become apparent whether it is a May beetle or a June beetle.
digression
Ladybug - symbol of good luck and beneficial
Ladybugs don't have much in common with cockchafers
Do not confuse may beetles (Melolontha) with ladybirds (Coccinellidae). What both beetles have in common is limited to the similar naming in everyday usage. Listing all the differences between cockchafers and ladybirds would go beyond the scope of this guide. In fact, ladybugs form a separate insect family with 6000 species worldwide. Popular in Europe as a beneficial insect and revered as a symbol of luck is the colorful seven-spotted ladybug with bright red elytra. Hobby gardeners who are close to nature warmly welcome ladybirds because their larvae eat huge amounts of aphids. An informative article on Wikipedia gives a detailed insight into the wonderful world of ladybugs.
Differences to rose chafer
May beetles and rose chafers are distantly related to each other as family members of the scarab beetle. In a direct comparison of adult beetles, the first glance gives certainty about the identity. With a shimmering plumage, rose chafers are a feast for the eyes. European species have picturesque names such as golden rose chafer (Cetonia aurata) or bronze green rose chafer (Protaetia lugubris). Have a look at Wikipedia in the varied, informative articles with many pictures of breathtakingly beautiful rose chafers.
In contrast to the glamorous rose beetle, the brown cockchafer is not just a Cinderella. Rose chafers feed primarily on nectar, pollen and tree sap. From time to time the noble beetle beauties nibble on the blossoms of roses, which does not cause any significant damage. Occasionally, minimal traces of tiny beetle teeth can be discovered on the blossoms of cherry, plum, elder and hawthorn. May beetles, on the other hand, target the foliage of trees and bushes, which can lead to defoliation if there are local masses.
Rose beetles are under protection
Rose beetles do not resemble May and June beetles
As already explained in the comparison of cockchafers and June beetles, larvae cannot be distinguished from scarab beetles. This circumstance has tragic effects on the harmless rose chafer. Although its grubs feed exclusively on mulm and decomposing organic matter, they are often mistaken for cockchafer larvae and are destroyed. As a result, some of the most beautiful rose chafer species have come under pressure. For this reason, the Federal Nature Conservation Act, for example, lists the golden rose beetle as a protected species so that it does not end up on the red list of seriously endangered species.
tips
May beetle plagues with a widespread destruction of forests and crops are a thing of the past. In the worst case, there is a high local incidence of may beetles when the larvae nest under the lawn or in the vegetable patch. Nematodes of the genus Heterorhabditis have proven to be an effective means of combating them without the use of poison. The threadworms parasitize and destroy every voracious grub within 2 to 3 days.
frequently asked Questions
What is the difference between May bugs and ladybugs?
The two beetles are not closely related. Rather, they are two completely different insect families. Visually, both beetles are clearly distinguishable. Cockchafers have inconspicuous brown wings. Ladybugs prefer a colorful appearance with red, yellow, brown or shiny black wings, which are often decorated with black, yellow or red dots. In addition, a cockchafer with a body length of 25 to 30 mm is a giant compared to the ladybird. The popular seven-spot ladybird, for example, is a petite 5 to 8 mm long.
May beetles only fly in May?
No. May beetles are popularly called this because their main flight time is in May. After a mild winter, the beetles often leave their winter quarters as early as April and go in search of food and a suitable partner. Flying cockchafers, which like to grab the leaves of trees, can be observed until June. These late bloomers are sometimes referred to as June beetles, although the ribbed tawny beetle actually bears this name.
Are may beetles and June beetles related to each other?
Yes, because both beetles belonged to the insect family of scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae). This circumstance is reflected in a similar appearance, which at first glance harbors a risk of confusion. Of course, there are striking differences between the May beetle and the June beetle, which prompted scientists to divide the two beetles into two different genera. The June beetle is the so-called ribbed beetle (Amphimallon solstitiale), which occurs between June and July. In contrast to the May beetle (Melolontha), a June beetle is smaller, has three-part antennae and a lot of hair.
Are rose chafers harmful to roses?
With their dazzling appearance and a stately size of 1.5 to 3 centimeters, rose chafers cannot be overlooked. If the magnificent beetles are cavorting on your roses, there is no need to worry. The lovable growlers are primarily after sweet nectar and nutritious pollen. Every now and then a rose petal gets caught between the teeth, which does not entail any serious consequences for the plant.
tips
The compost heap becomes a treasure trove when you discover a fat grub in it. Usually it is a larva of the rose chafer. With a bit of luck, you might hold a rhinoceros beetle grub in your hands, another priceless, rare gem of nature. Please put the larvae back in the compost so that they can complete their cycle and delight us as dazzling beetle beauties or imposing beetle giants.