May bug

"May bug" (noun) is one of the commonly used names for the cockchafer, a large brown beetle (normally 2-3cm in length as adults) native to Europe. These often emerge as adults during or slightly before May, and are considered crop pests, due to their appetite for vegetation. The cockchafer has a well-established history as a crop pest, and was put in trial in France in 1320, where the beetles were accused of damaging crops. The court ruled that the beetles did in fact damage the crops and were ordered to leave the area, which the beetles ignored, thus proving that the cockchafer is one of many beetles that is above the law. Cockchafers feed on plant matter and are not venomous and do not sting. While cockchafers can fly, they are clumsy, leading them to crash into surfaces, including people and windows. Their long legs feature small spines and hooks that help them grip plants stems, but often lead them to become tangled in hair. Contrary to urban myth that cockchafers crash into people in order to attack them or lay eggs in their hair, cockchafers are generally not aggressive towards humans and much prefer to lay eggs in soil. As they are attracted to light, they can frequently be seen around porch lights between Late and early July.