Pest Profile Photo credit: (Larvae) David Cappaert, Bugwood.org; (Adult) Mike Reding and Betsy Anderson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Common Name: European Chafer Scientific Name: Rhizotrogus majalis, also called Amphimallon Order and Family: Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae Size and Appearance: Length (mm) Appearance Egg 0.5-2.5mm Deposited 2 to 4 inches down in soil; oval shaped and shiny; milky white in color; become dull grey color after eggs absorb water; females lay about 20-30 eggs. Larva/Nymph 4-25mm C-shaped and white with a dark head capsule and 6 legs; a close-up of the underside of the end of the abdomen reveals a "Y" shaped anal slit and a raster pattern (pattern of hairs at tip of abdomen) of two parallel rows of spines; have 3 instars. Adult 13-14mm Light brown or golden tan in color; are oval shaped like typical June-beetles. Pupa (if applicable) Have the appearance of typical scarab beetle pupa; form pupa 2-10 inches below soil surface; emerge after 10-14 days as adults. Type of feeder (Chewing, sucking, etc.): Larvae and adults: Chewing Host plant/s: Attack roots of turfgrass, clover, alfalfa, and small grains. Description of Damage (larvae and adults): Larvae are the damaging stage of the European chafer. In turf, larvae feed in the root zone up to the root crowns. Heavy infestations cause browning, wilting, and death of turf. References European Chafer. (2007, July 25). Syngenta Turfgrass Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 4, 2016, from: http://www3.hcs.ohio-state.edu/turfwiki/index.php/European_Chafer Klass, C. (1980). European Chafer. Cornell University. Retrieved March 26, 2017 from: http://idl.entomology.cornell.edu/files/2013/11/European-Chafer-sz87sw.pdf Murray, T., Stahnke, G., LaGasa, E. (2012). Pest Watch: European Chafer. Washington State University Extension. Retrieved April 4, 2016, from: http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/FS078E/FS078E.pdf Smitley, D., Davis, T. (2016). European Chafer (E0022TURF). Michigan State University Extension. Retrieved April 4, 2016, from: http://msue.anr.msu.edu/resources/european-chafer Williamson, R. C., Deutsch, A. (2017). European Chafer. University of Wisconsin Extension. Retrieved March 26, 2017 from: http://door.uwex.edu/files/2011/08/A4141-EUROPEAN-CHAFER.pdf .