European Chafer

Natural Habitat

Found in residential lawns, golf courses, and agricultural fields; originally native to Europe but invasive in North America.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae (grubs) eat the roots of cool-season grasses; adults feed very little or not at all but may occasionally nibble on tree foliage.

Behavior Patterns

Adults emerge at sunset in early summer to swarm and mate. They are strongly attracted to light and are often found on their backs like the specimen in the image after becoming exhausted or hitting windows.

Risks & Benefits

A significant turf pest as larvae can destroy entire lawn root systems; they provide a food source for birds, skunks, and raccoons, though these predators often damage lawns further by digging for the grubs.

Identified on: 5/1/2026