Chafer Beetle - Damage to leaves by adult and roots by grubs.

There are several types of Chafer Beetle that cause damage to plant leaves. And, of course there is the cockchafer Beetle grub, which causes severe root damage. All Chafers are members of the Coleoptera family, and known by various names - 'Maybug' being one.

They fly at night, and have often been the cause of concern when flying into windows - attracted by the light.

The Cockchafer shown in the image can grow to a size of 4cms. Some of the smaller chafer beetles to just 1cm. The cock Chafer beetle causes damage to leaves - biting out irregular shaped holes in foliage - sometimes the edges - sometimes holes in the leaf itself.

Cockchafer Beetles sometimes eat into new rosebuds, causing them either nit to open, or if open, then one sided blooms are the result. The beetle stage of growth is relatively harmless compared to the damage caused by the Chafer Beetle Grub. The grub lives in the soil for up to three years - fattening itself up on plentiful supplies of plant roots and tubers.

If you are spray happy, then they can normally be killed with the contact insecticide containing Bifenthrin.