Who is this guy? My kid found 2 or 3 in our house, got scared, and called me right away. 🧐

So last night—stick with me here—I’m half-asleep, toothbrush dangling from my mouth like I’m in some offbeat comedy, when suddenly WHAP! Something slams into the bathroom light like it’s trying to start a fight.

I whip around, and there it is: this shiny, reddish-brown insect clinging to a cardboard toilet paper roll like it just completed a transatlantic flight and decided, “Yeah. This’ll do.”

At first, I thought, June bug? Nope. Turns out it’s called a cockchafer. Yes, really. Sounds like an insult from a Jane Austen novel. But if you want to be polite, folks also call it a May bug—which, let’s be honest, makes it sound far too cute for something that dive-bombs ceiling fans like a drunk drone.

Wait, What Is a Cockchafer?

The cockchafer beetle (Melolontha melolontha, if you want to impress people at dinner) is a chonky little scarab-like beetle that emerges in late spring across Europe—usually in May, sometimes lingering into June. Hence the name.

They’re about 2–3 cm long. Doesn’t sound huge until it’s buzzing right past your ear like a miniature helicopter. Males have these funky fan-like antennae that look like they’re trying to stream Netflix through the air. That’s how they detect female beetles. Romance!

Their flight style? Think of a wind-up toy caught in a wind tunnel. They don’t so much fly as lurch with chaotic confidence—like they’ve got places to be but no GPS.

How to Know It’s a Cockchafer (And Not Just

• Color: Reddish-brown, almost rust-colored wing covers with a black belly.

• Antennae: Males sport over-the-top, feathery antennae—think masquerade ball, but desperate.

• Size: Larger than your average beetle. Not quite horror-movie huge, but enough to ruin your peace.

• Markings: Look for little white tufts or spots on the sides—like lint stuck to a leather jacket.

• Behavior: Loud, erratic, hyperactive around dusk, and hopelessly attracted to light sources.

Also: if it’s spring and you’re in Europe, this is not a June bug. That’s mostly a North American term for a similar—but different—species. Same clumsy energy, different address.

Where Do They Come From?

Brace yourself:
They come from underground.
Really.

Cockchafers begin life as fat white grubs that live beneath the soil for three to four years. During that time, they munch on roots—grass, trees, flowers—causing slow, sneaky damage to your garden while you remain blissfully unaware. The larvae are the real problem.

Once they’ve had their fill of root salad, they emerge in spring, transform into winged adults, and spend a few chaotic weeks flying around, mating, and laying eggs before dying. Think of it as nature’s version of a wild spring break: loud, brief, and slightly destructive.

Are They Dangerous?

To humans? Nope.
They don’t bite. They don’t sting. They don’t carry disease. They’re just big, clumsy, and loud.

That said, a swarm of them can be seriously annoying—especially if you leave lights on at night. Your porch turns into a beetle rave, and your peaceful evening becomes a series of aerial assaults on your windows.

The real danger is underground. Their larvae can devastate lawns, gardens, and even young trees. And by the time your plants start to wilt or die, it’s often too late to undo the damage.

What to Do if One Gets Inside

First: don’t panic.
Yes, it sounds like a helicopter. Yes, it’s aiming directly at your forehead. But you’ve got this.

Here’s the move:

1. Trap it gently – Use a glass or cup and slide a piece of paper underneath. Take it outside and set it free.

2. Kill the lights – Lights attract them like moths on espresso. Use curtains, dimmers, or switch to yellow-toned outdoor bulbs.

3. Seal the gaps – Check windows, vents, and doorframes. These bugs don’t need much space to sneak in and start their little party.

a Bug with Confidence Issues)

If it’s May (or close), and you’ve got a beetle-ish creature crashing into things like it’s had too much caffeine, chances are, it’s one of these. Look for:

• Shiny reddish-brown body

• Fanned antennae (especially on the males)

• A general vibe of noisy confusion