European Chafer(Rhizotrogus majalis)Common Name: European Chafer
Latin Name: Rhizotrogus majalis
Appearance:
The adult June beetle is a tiny golden tan to the light brown insect. It has an oval form and is roughly 1/2 inch long.
The larva or grub lives on the earth. It has a “C” shape, is approximately 3/4 inch long, greyish white with a brown head, a powerful pair of jaws, and six powerful legs.
The “Y”-shaped anal slit and parallel rows of spines on the back distinguish the grubs from other white grubs (the underside of the tip of the abdomen).
This pattern may necessitate the use of a 10x magnifying glass.
Territory:
The European chafer beetle was discovered in a Rochester, New York nursery.
Damages caused by European Chafer:
Larvae are the most dangerous stage of the European chafer. They often graze on cereal plants such as turf grasses and wheat. They have also been observed feeding on the fine roots of broadleaf and conifer plants. Larvae feed in the root zone up to the root crowns in turf. Heavy infestations cause browning and mortality of turf, especially as the dry season approaches. Raccoons and skunks, for example, rip aside grass to eat on grubs, inflicting severe damage to lawns.
Life history and habits:
Adult beetles emerge from the soil in Michigan and New York between mid-June and early July; however, emergence timings vary and are temperature-dependent. Most European chafer beetles have one generation each year. However, a tiny percentage of the population may take two years to mature. Adults are active for many hours before and after sunset on warm evenings (above 65 degrees F). In early August, eggs are placed two to four inches below the earth’s surface and hatch. Larvae consume turf roots. Grubs overwinter beneath frozen soil and emerge as soon as the ground thaws. When the fares are ready to pupate in late spring to early summer, they will descend deeper into the earth.
