melolontha

Melolontha is a genus of large scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The genus comprises several species, among them the common cockchafer Melolontha melolontha and the forest cockchafer Melolontha hippocastanum. They are native to the Palearctic region and are most common in Europe and parts of western Asia.

Adults are robust, brown or copper-colored, typically 2 to 4 centimeters long, with lamellate antennae. They are active mainly at night and feed on the leaves of deciduous trees during late spring and early summer. The larvae, or white grubs, are C-shaped and live underground, feeding on roots. The life stages are entirely terrestrial, with the larval period lasting several years in many species.

The life cycle is holometabolous, involving eggs laid in soil, a multi-year larval stage, pupation, and the emergence of adults. Larval feeding can damage turf, pastures, and the roots of fruit trees, making Melolontha species important agricultural pests in some regions. Adults are attracted to lights, which can lead to seasonal swarms.

Ecology and management notes: natural enemies include birds, predatory beetles, and entomopathogenic nematodes. Control measures in affected areas often rely on monitoring and integrated pest management, incorporating cultural practices, targeted biological controls, and, when necessary, chemical controls to mitigate damage to vegetation and crops.