Foreign Chafers I. Melolontha melolontha (L.)

Because of the greater speed and frequency of travel, live foreign insects are more easily introduced into the United States. In an effort to provide assistance for an increased detection effort, a series of circulars is planned on the foreign chafers of greatest economic importance. The key to any suppressive action is the prompt and accurate identification of the pest.

Melolontha melolontha (L.) is variously called the “cockchafer, common cockchafer, May beetle, hanneton, chestnut chafer”, etc. The larvae are usually referred to as “white grubs”, a nonspecific name used for nearly any larva of the family Scarabaeidae. This species is often intercepted at U. S. ports of entry and could easily become established if it entered undetected.