Insects Most active at dawn and dusk

Chestnut cockchafer

Melolontha hippocastani

iNaturalist Wikipedia

A woodland relative of the famous Maybug, the Chestnut cockchafer is a herald of spring known for its rich reddish-brown wing cases and impressive fan-like antennae.

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Quick Identification

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Size

20–25 mm (0.8–1.0 inches) in length

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Colors

Chestnut-brown elytra (wing cases) with dark margins, black or dark brown pronotum, and distinctive white triangular spots along the sides of the abdomen.

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Key Features

Reddish-brown 'chestnut' wing cases
Short, narrow, and slightly constricted pygidium (tail-end)
Large fan-like antennae with 6-7 leaves
Loud, heavy buzzing sound during flight

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Most active at dawn and dusk

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Peak hours 8 PM - 11 PM

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Season May-June

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Diet Adults feed on the foliage of deciduous trees like oak, birch, maple, and beech; larvae feed on the roots of trees and grasses.

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Habitat Deciduous forests, woodland edges, and sandy-soil gardens or orchards.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Chestnut cockchafer Live?

The Chestnut cockchafer is native to the temperate regions of Europe and Northern Asia. Its core population density is found in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in countries like Germany, Poland, and Russia, where it favors the sandy soils of forested regions. While it shares much of its territory with the Common cockchafer, it extends further north and east into the Siberian taiga, though it is generally absent from the British Isles and the southernmost Mediterranean peninsulas.

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9 Countries

12.2M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

DE Germany Russia PL Poland FR France Belarus Ukraine Austria Czech Republic Romania

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Chestnut cockchafer is famous for its dramatic spring emergence, appearing in massive numbers during 'cockchafer years.' These beetles spend the vast majority of their lives—usually three to four years—underground as larvae (white grubs), feeding on roots. When they finally emerge as adults in May, they take to the air with a heavy, clumsy buzzing flight that can be quite startling to the uninitiated.

Adults are primarily active at twilight, flying from the ground toward the silhouettes of tall trees to feed and mate. While they can be seen as pests in forestry due to their appetite for leaves, they are a vital food source for many backyard visitors, including owls, bats, and hedgehogs. In the garden, they are often seen bumping into windows or hovering around outdoor lights.

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Camera Tips

To capture the Chestnut cockchafer on camera, you should focus your efforts during the 'May flight' period. Because these beetles are most active at dusk, setting your AI-powered camera to its high-sensitivity night mode or ensuring you have a good infrared (IR) flash is essential. They are highly attracted to artificial light sources, so placing your camera near a porch light or a white-lit sheet can act as a natural lure.

Since these beetles are relatively small compared to mammals, use a camera with a good macro focus capability or place the camera within 1–2 feet of a branch where they are likely to land. Focus on the edges of deciduous trees like oaks or birches. If your camera allows for high-speed triggers, you might capture their spectacular, if slightly uncoordinated, takeoff or landing sequences.

For the best results, look for 'emergence holes' in sandy soil during late April. Position your camera at ground level facing these holes to catch the adults as they first crawl out of the earth. Avoid using heavy pesticides in the area, as this will prevent them from appearing in your frame.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Chestnut cockchafer.

Common cockchafer

The Common cockchafer (M. melolontha) is slightly larger and has a longer, gradually tapering pygidium (tail) without a constriction.

Summer chafer

The Summer chafer (Amphimallon solstitiale) is smaller, hairier, and emerges later in the year, typically around June or July.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Chestnut cockchafer are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at twilight. You will typically see them flying in large numbers just as the sun goes down, usually between 8 PM and 11 PM in late spring.

The best way to attract them is to have mature deciduous trees like oak or birch and avoid using chemical lawn treatments that kill the larvae. They are also naturally drawn to external house lights at night.

Adult Chestnut cockchafer eat the leaves of broad-leaved trees. The larvae, known as white grubs, live underground and feed on the roots of trees and occasionally grasses.

Yes, they are common in suburban areas that are near woodlands or have plenty of mature trees. They prefer gardens with sandy soil where it is easier for the females to burrow and lay eggs.

Look at the 'tail' (pygidium). The Chestnut cockchafer has a shorter, narrower pygidium with a distinct constriction, and its wing cases are usually a brighter, more reddish-brown compared to the Common cockchafer.

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