Species Macrodactylus subspinosus - Rose Chafer

Macrodactylus subspinosus (Fabricius)

Orig. Comb: Melolontha subspinosa Fabricius 1775

8-10 mm

very similar to and hard to distinguish from M. angustatus, with which it used to be considered synonymous

Males:

e. NA (QC-FL to MN-TX); CO & MT records(1) suspect (Art Evans, pers. comm. to =v= 5.iv.2011)

Old fields, gardens, edges with vines

mostly Jun-Jul (BG data), May-Jul in SC(2)

Adult is herbivore, feeds on wide variety of flowers and foliage.

Larvae feed mostly on grass roots but have been known to attack tree seedlings roots(3)

Adults emerge in early summer and feed on flowers, some leaves. They live for up to 6 weeks. Mating occurs on food sources. Eggs are laid deep (13-15 cm!) in soil and hatch in one to three weeks. Larvae feed on roots and overwinter deep in soil. Pupation in early spring in the soil, just under the surface.

Adults contain cantharadin, can poison chickens, other birds.

Considered a minor pest species

Fact sheet - NCSU