Editing Cockchafer (section)

=== 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>