Ouch!

[ian_g]

Whilst up on Butser Hill in Hampshire this weekend just gone, my partner and I were inundated with a huge swarm of what I have identified as Cockchafer beetles. They seemed incredibly aggressive and were continually flying at us and one ended up biting me on my back, very painful indeed and the swelling has been very painful. Is this common amongst this species or is it swarming irrational behaviour?

Ian G

[matt_xyz]

I've not heard of this before Ian. I've always been intrigued by Cockchafers but have never actually seen one let alone a swarm of them.

Matt

[eeyore]

I would say you had probably disturbed a nest - just be grateful that they got you on the back and didnt fully live up to their name

[nightshade]

I have seen a few swarms of chafers but never suffered any ill effects but they were being predated on at the time

[cherrybee]

Originally Posted by eeyore

I would say you had probably disturbed a nest - just be grateful that they got you on the back and didnt fully live up to their name

[Paul mabbott]

There are a lot about this year and therefore a lot emerging at once - not aggregations in the sense of congregating for a specific purpose such as mating or hibernating; and they are poor flyers (like all beetles, compared to flies and butterflies) and often ujust bump in to people or anything else that is in their way. But I've never heard of them biting anyone - they aren't carnivores! Are you sure that it was the chafer that bit - not just a coincidental mosquito or something?

Originally Posted by ian_g

Whilst up on Butser Hill in Hampshire this weekend just gone, my partner and I were inundated with a huge swarm of what I have identified as Cockchafer beetles. They seemed incredibly aggressive and were continually flying at us and one ended up biting me on my back, very painful indeed and the swelling has been very painful. Is this common amongst this species or is it swarming irrational behaviour?
Ian G

[eucera]

Loads of small chafers in Wilts too... Phyllopertha horticola

[ian_g]

What a response!

LMAO @ 'didn't fully live up to their name'

Definitely Cockchafers, I have attached a pic of the rascal that committed the crime. I'm pretty much certain it was this guy because I felt something bite my back, and my immediate reaction was to bat the blighter off, and this irridescent chap fell to the floor. Luckily I only stunned it, for it got up shortly after and flew off in a nonchalant manner.

I have a great book, rather old now, published 1976, called The Oxford Book of Insects and in there it says "It occasionally occurs in vast swarms, when the larvae, which live at least three years, do great damage to crops and grassland, and the beetles strip trees of their leaves. On one occasion, 80 bushels of them were collected on one farm. Fortunately such outbreaks are now very rare."

Ian G

[jezlee]

Originally Posted by ian_g

What a response!

LMAO @ 'didn't fully live up to their name'

Definitely Cockchafers, I have attached a pic of the rascal that committed the crime. I'm pretty much certain it was this guy because I felt something bite my back, and my immediate reaction was to bat the blighter off, and this irridescent chap fell to the floor. Luckily I only stunned it, for it got up shortly after and flew off in a nonchalant manner.

I have a great book, rather old now, published 1976, called The Oxford Book of Insects and in there it says "It occasionally occurs in vast swarms, when the larvae, which live at least three years, do great damage to crops and grassland, and the beetles strip trees of their leaves. On one occasion, 80 bushels of them were collected on one farm. Fortunately such outbreaks are now very rare."

Ian G

Hi Ian - sorry to hear of your "Attack of The Cockchafers" ....

The pic you have attached actually isn't a Cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha), I had the fortune to see one of the real beasties for the first time this year when one flew through my son's open bedroom window .... you can see my pics of it on my website here ....

I think maybe yours could a Rose Chafer? I'm sure someone more experienced than I could confirm ....

Cheers

[ian_g]

Dying to know what the shelled villain was now!
Thanks for the info Jez, shall take a look at your website shortly.

Ian G