Hoplia philanthus, Welsh Chafer

Common Name: Welsh Chafer

Hoplia philanthus, more commonly known as the Welsh Chafer, measures 8-9 mm in length with a black head and thorax and reddish brown wing cases. It is widely distributed throughout England, with several records from Scotland. Of local occurence but may be very common where found; in a given locality some years will produce an abundance while in others they are very few.

Adults typically emerge around mid-June and males swarm over herbage or grass searching for females. Eggs are laid in the ground in midsummer and larvae feed on roots in the autumn and spring before pupating in earthen cells in late spring. The life cycle is completed in a single year.

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