Common Cockchafer

Melolontha melolontha

Common & widespread from May-September in Britain.

They have a dark head with two antennae, each of which has multiple segments.

Behind their heads, they have a dark pronotum covered with short hairs.

This black coloration distinguishes them from their close relative M. hippocastani, whose pronotum is brown.

The top of their bodies has reddish brown elytra and a black abdomen which is partly white on the sides.

Male Cockchafers have seven flattened leaflike extensions on their antennae, whereas the females have only six.