Seen for the first time, an adult cockchafer, or May bug, can cause a bit of a stir and people can be worried by them. But Stuart Hine, who has worked at the Museum’s Identification and Advisory Service (IAS), which is often asked by the public to identify them, confirms that cockchafers most certainly don’t sting.

Are cockchafers harmful to humans?

You can often see cockchafers on May evenings buzzing around the garden, which is why they are often known as the ‘May bug’. As large, noisy insects they can be a little frightening, but are actually harmless to humans. However, they can considerably damage garden plants and crops.

Do flying beetles bite?

The simple answer is, yes, they can. Beetles have chewing mouthparts so, technically, they can bite. Some species have well-developed jaws or mandibles used for catching and consuming prey. Others use these to defend themselves from predators.