Rose chafer

Rose chafer
Rufus Isaacs, MSU Entomology

The rose chafer is a light tan beetle with a darker brown head and long legs. It is about 12 mm long. There is one generation per year. Adults emerge from the ground during late May or June, near grape bloom time, and live for three to four weeks. Females lay groups of eggs just below the surface in grassy areas of sandy, well-drained soils. The larvae (grubs) spend the winter underground, move up in the soil to feed on grass roots and then pupate in the spring. A few weeks later, they emerge from the soil and disperse by flight. Male beetles are attracted to females and congregate on plants to mate and feed.


Feeding damage is most obvious on the leaves, though the greatest impact can be on young clusters when adult beetles remove the developing berries. 12 mm. Photo: Tom Zabadal

Additional information

Search MSU Fruit CAT Alert newsletter for articles. Type in keyword: rose chafer
Recommendations from the Michigan Fruit Management Guide
Vineyard Scouting Calendar for Key Pests

Site map About us Copyright/Linking

Funding for this web site provided by Project GREEEN, American Farmland Trust, EPA Region 5's Strategic Agricultural Initiative program, The National Foundation for IPM Education, the Center for Agricultural Partnerships and the MSU Integrated Pest Management Program
in collaboration with MSU Extension and the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station.
Updated 11/30/07 Contact: J.N. Landis.