European chafer

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European chafer
Rhizotrogus majalis1.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Scarabaeidae
Genus: Amphimallon
Species:
A. majale
Binomial name
Amphimallon majale
(Razoumowsky, 1789)
Synonyms
  • Melolontha majalisRazoumowsky, 1789
  • Rhizotrogus majalis(Razoumowsky, 1789)

The European chafer (Amphimallon majale; formerly classified as Rhizotrogus majalis [1] ) is a beetle of the family Scarabaeidae. Formerly found only in continental Europe, this invasive species is now found at temperate latitudes in North America. The large, white grubs of A. majale feed on the roots of most cool-latitude grasses, both wild and cultivated. This has made the European chafer an enemy of lawns. [2]

Contents

Description

Imago

Adult beetles are medium-sized, light reddish-brown, and approximately 13–14 millimetres (12916 in) long. Their pronotum features a narrow band of light-yellow setae and the underside of the thorax has similar coloured setae. The tip of the abdomen protrudes beyond the wing covers. Wing covers have longitudinal grooves.

The larva of the European chafer Rmajalislarvae.jpg
The larva of the European chafer

Larvae

Larvae are white-coloured and C-shaped, with a yellow-brown head and six jointed legs. The raster has two distinct rows of small spines that diverge outward at the tip of the abdomen. Fully grown larvae are 20–23 millimetres (25322932 in) long.

Pupae and eggs

The pupae of the European chafer resemble those of the other turf-infesting scarab beetles, such as the Japanese beetle. Pupae are about 16 millimetres (58 in) long. Eggs are shiny and oval, milky-white when freshly laid, but later turning dull gray, approximately 2.3 by 2.7 millimetres (332 in × 764 in).

Life cycle

Life cycle of A. majale Eurchaferlifecycle.jpg
Life cycle of A. majale

The European chafer has a 1-year life cycle. The imago, or adult beetle, stage is quite short, lasting 1–2 weeks. The adults come out of the ground in late spring and mate in large swarms, usually on low trees and shrubs. The beetles are most active on warm, clear nights when the temperature is above 19 °C (66 °F). They emerge at about 8:30 pm, mate through the night, and return to the soil by daybreak. Beetles may return to the trees to re-mate several times over the mating period. Late in the period, the adult carcasses may litter the ground beneath trees used for swarming.

Female chafers lay 20-40 eggs over their lifespan. They are laid singly, 5–10 centimetres (2–4 in) deep in moist soil, and take 2 weeks to hatch. The grubs hatch by late July. The grub population consists mainly of first instars in early- to mid-August, second instars by early September, and third instars by mid-September to early October. In frost zones, the grubs feed until November, then move deeper into the soil. In frost-free areas, the larva will feed all winter. Vigorous feeding occurs from March through May. In early June, the grubs again move deeper, from 5–25 centimetres (2–10 in), to form earthen cells and pupate. The pre-pupal and pupal stages last 2–4 days and 2 weeks, respectively. By June, the new beetles begin emerging.

Lawn destruction

The damage caused by chafer infestation to residential lawns is exacerbated by the fact that its grubs are an attractive food source for local fauna such as crows, skunks and raccoons, who relentlessly dig up the turf in search of the morsels. Homeowners often find themselves bewildered by the speed and extent of the destruction which may ensue. [3]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trogidae</span> Family of beetles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huhu beetle</span> Species of insect

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dynastinae</span> Subfamily of beetles

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<i>Goliathus</i> Genus of beetles

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<i>Cotinis nitida</i> Species of beetle

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melolonthinae</span> Subfamily of beetles

Melolonthinae is a subfamily of the scarab beetles. It is a very diverse group; distributed over most of the world, it contains over 11,000 species in over 750 genera. Some authors include the scarab subfamilies Euchirinae and Pachypodinae as tribes in the Melolonthinae.

<i>Macrodactylus subspinosus</i> Species of beetle

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<i>Rhagoletis mendax</i> Species of fly

Rhagoletis mendax is a species of tephritid fruit fly known by the common name blueberry maggot. The blueberry maggot is closely related to the apple maggot, a larger fruit fly in the same genus. It is a major pest of plant species in the Ericaceae family, such as blueberry, cranberry, and huckleberry. The larva is 5 to 8 mm long, apodous, and white with chewing mouthparts. Female adults are 4.75 mm in length, males are slightly smaller. Both adults are mostly black in color with white stripes, orange-red eyes, and a single pair of clear wings with black banding. The adult female fly lays a single egg per blueberry, and when the larva hatches it consumes the fruit, usually finishing the entire berry in under 3 weeks and rendering it unmarketable. The larva then falls to the soil and pupates. Adult flies emerge, mate, and females oviposit when blueberry plants are producing fruit. Each female fly can lay 25 to 100 eggs in their lifetime.

<i>Amphimallon solstitiale</i> Species of beetle

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<i>Lebia grandis</i> Species of beetle

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<i>Cyclocephala borealis</i> Species of beetle

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Lymantria dispar dispar or LDD moth, commonly known as the gypsy moth, European gypsy moth, North American gypsy moth, or spongy moth, is a species of moth in the family Erebidae that is of Eurasian origin. It has a range that extends over Europe, Africa, and North America.

<i>Curculio elephas</i> Species of beetle

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<i>Phyllopertha horticola</i> Species of beetle

Phyllopertha horticola, the garden chafer or garden foliage beetle, is a beetle from the family Scarabaeidae. Phyllopertha horticola was described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.

<i>Pyronota festiva</i> Species of beetle

Pyronota festiva, commonly known as mānuka beetle or mānuka chafer, is a member of the genus Pyronota of the beetle family Scarabaeidae. It is a scarab beetle endemic to New Zealand, and is commonly found in mānuka trees, hence the beetle's name. In some areas it is considered a pasture pest.

<i>Costelytra giveni</i> Species of beetle

Costelytra giveni, commonly known as New Zealand grass grub, is a scarab beetle that is endemic to New Zealand and is a prevalent pasture pest.

<i>Cyclocephala lurida</i> Species of beetle (southern masked chafer)

Cyclocephala lurida, the southern masked chafer, is a species of beetle in the family Scarabaeidae which is native to the southeastern United States. It is a brown beetle with a black head, with an adult length of 10 to 14 mm. The adult beetles cause no harm, but the eggs are laid underground and the developing larvae feed on grass roots and can kill turf under dry conditions.

<i>Platypus cylindrus</i> Species of beetle

Platypus cylindrus, commonly known as the oak pinhole borer, is a species of ambrosia beetle in the weevil family Scolytinae. The adults and larvae burrow under the bark of mature oak trees. It is native to Europe.

Holotrichia serrata, commonly known as the sugarcane white grub, or cockchafer grub, is a species of dung beetle found in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

References

  1. Montreuil, O. (2000) Cladistic systematics of the genus Amphimallon (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae). European Journal of Entomology 97: 253–270
  2. Potter, D.A. (1998) Destructive Turfgrass Insects: Biology, Diagnosis, And Control, Ann Arbor Press, Michigan
  3. Macdonald, Mark (May 24, 2021). "Organic Solutions for European Chafer Beetles". West Coast Seeds.