The NatureSpot Photo of the Month for May is this image of Common Cockchafer, taken by NatureSpot contributor Jane Hollingworth. More...

The Common Cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha) is the UK’s largest scarab beetle. They are also known as May Bugs, Maybeetle, Doodlebug, Spang Beetle and the Billy Witch. Its curious common name is thought to derive from cock meaning familiar, as in "cock sparrow" and "chafer" meaning beetle. easily recognizable, they were known as a serious problem of crops in the middle ages. However, like most insects, they're not as common as they once were and for this reason the Common Cockchafer is one of the 100 Indicator Species for the Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland Local Nature Recovery Strategy.