Editing Cockchafer (section)

== Description ==

=== Adults ===
[[File:Cockchafer.JPG|thumb|Close up of a male cockchafer, showing the seven "leaves" on the antennae|277x277px]]
[[Imago|Adults]] of ''M. melolontha'' reach sizes of {{convert|25|to|30|mm|in|frac=4|abbr=off}} in length.<ref name=":0" /> Behind their heads they have a black [[pronotum]] covered with short hairs. This black coloration distinguishes them from their close relative ''M. hippocastani'', whose pronotum is brown. The top of their bodies have hard, brown [[Elytron|elytra]] and a black [[Thorax (arthropod anatomy)|thorax]], while their underside is black and partly white on the sides. They have a dark head with two antennae with ten segments each. Male cockchafers have seven "leaves" on their [[Antenna (biology)|antennae]], whereas the females have only six.<ref name=":0">{{citation |author=Huiting, H. F., Moraal, L. G., Griepink, F. C., & Ester, A. |year=2006 |title=Biology, control and luring of the cockchafer, ''Melolontha melolontha'': literature report on biology, life cycle and pest incidence, current control possibilities and pheromones |publisher=Praktijkonderzoek Plant & Omgeving |url=https://edepot.wur.nl/121073}}</ref>

=== Larvae ===

[[Larva|Larvae]] have 3 stages of development over the course of 3–4 years. In the first stage, they are 10–20&nbsp;mm long, then grow to 30–35&nbsp;mm in the second year of development, and finally reach their full size of 40–46&nbsp;mm in their final year of development before emerging.<ref name=":0" /> In some areas of Eastern Europe the larvae develop for a fourth year. They have white bodies that curve into an arc with a black coloration at the abdomen and long, hairy, and well developed legs.<ref name=":0" /> They have large orange heads with strong, grabbing [[Mandible (insect mouthpart)|mandibles]]. On their heads they have 2 small antennae which they use to smell and taste their surroundings while underground.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Eilers |first1=Elisabeth J. |last2=Talarico |first2=Giovanni |last3=Hansson |first3=Bill S. |last4=Hilker |first4=Monika |last5=Reinecke |first5=Andreas |date=2012-07-25 |title=Sensing the Underground – Ultrastructure and Function of Sensory Organs in Root-Feeding ''Melolontha melolontha'' (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) Larvae |journal=PLOS ONE |language=en |volume=7 |issue=7 |pages=e41357 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0041357 |doi-access=free |issn=1932-6203 |pmc=3405142 |pmid=22848471|bibcode=2012PLoSO...741357E }}</ref>