Chafer Beetles of the UK

Chafer beetles are a group of beetles belonging to the subfamily Melolonthinae within the family Scarabaeidae. They are medium to large-sized beetles known for their stout bodies, distinctive antennae with fan-like tips, and often shiny or metallic appearances. There are several species of chafer beetles, and they play important ecological roles, particularly in soil health and nutrient cycling.

This presentation explores the fascinating world of chafer beetles, with a focus on the 10 species found in the UK. From the well-known Common Cockchafer, or “May Bug,” to other lesser-known species such as the rare vagrant Pine Chafer, we’ll delve into their ecology, behaviour, and identification features.

At the end of the session, learners should feel more comfortable submitting records of the following species to iRecord:

• Welsh Chafer (Hoplia philanthus)
• Common cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha)
• Forest Cockchafer (Melolontha hippocastani)
• Pine chafer (Polyphylla fullo)
• Summer Chafer (Amphimallon solstitale)
• Fallen's Summer Chafer (Amphimallon fallenii)
• Downland Chafer (Omaloplia ruricola)
• Brown Chafer (Serica brunnea)
• Margined Vine Chafer (Amomala dubia)
• Garden Chafer (Phyllopertha horticola)

This session is perfect for naturalists, entomologists, and anyone curious about the hidden diversity in our gardens and countryside. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, you'll leave with a deeper appreciation for these remarkable insects.

The 90-minute event will consist of a 1-hour presentation followed by a Q&A with the tutor using questions provided by the live audience. The presentation will be recorded and made available following the event to those booked alongside a transcript of the Q&A and useful links.

entoLEARN Webinars

Our entoLEARN webinars focus on focus on groups of UK invertebrates, with subject specialists presenting aspects of the biology, ecology and behaviour of UK species.

This webinar is part of our Beetles series:

1. Chafer Beetles of the UK (Mon 19 May 2025) will explore the chafer beetles (subfamily Melolonthinae) found within the UK
2. Flower Chafers of the UK (Mon 07 Jul 2025) will focus on the flower chafer beetles (subfamily Cetoniinae) found within the UK. Launching for bookings soon
3. Longhorn Beetles of the UK Part 1 took place in 2024 and explored some of the larger and more distinct species of longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae) found in the UK.
4. Longhorn Beetles of the UK Part 2 took place in 2024 and explored some of the smaller and less distinctive species of longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae) found in the UK.

If you have missed a webinar and would like to purchase access to the recorded content, please email us at [email protected]

Beetle Specialist: Wil J. Heeney

Wil J. Heeney is the National Recorder for Longhorn Beetles in the UK and runs the National Longhorn Beetle Recording Scheme. Wil works as a Consultant Entomologist through his business, Flauna Ecology, and also volunteers as Conservation Officer for the Coleopterists Society of Britain and Ireland (ColSoc).

Webinar Fees and Cancellation Policy

This webinar will be recorded and the presentation will be made available following the event to those booked alongside a transcript of the Q&A and useful links.

This event is unfunded and we rely on ticket fees to cover the costs of running the event.

1. entoLEARN Webinar Ticket - Ticket price is £10.

Ticket fees are non-refundable. They consist wholly of an administrative fee of £10, covering both Eventbrite fees and time spent by the Biological Recording Company processing the order.

This entoLEARN presentation is delivered by the Biological Recording Company.