Definition of May beetle

1. Noun. Any of various large European beetles destructive to vegetation as both larvae and adult.

Exact synonyms: Cockchafer, May Bug, Melolontha Melolontha
Generic synonyms: Melolonthid Beetle
Group relationships: Genus Melolontha, Melolontha

2. Noun. Any of various large usually brown North American leaf-eating beetles common in late spring; the larvae feed on roots of grasses etc..
Exact synonyms: June Beetle, June Bug, May Bug
Generic synonyms: Scarabaean, Scarabaeid, Scarabaeid Beetle
Specialized synonyms: Figeater, Green June Beetle

Lexicographical Neighbors of May Beetle

May-September romances
May-White syndrome
May-day sweep
May-day sweeps
May 1
May 24
May 35th
May Day
May Day sweep
May Day sweeps
May Days
May Queen
May apple
May apple root
May apples
May beetle (current term)
May blob
May blossom
May bug
May lily
May queen
May wine
May wines
Maya
Maya Lin
Mayaca
Mayacaceae
Mayaguez
Mayakovski
Mayan

Literary usage of May beetle

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Annual Report of the United States Geological and Geographical Survey of the by Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories (U.S.), United States General Land Office, United States Dept. of the Interior (1877)
"He found that some of the beetles, as the case of the May beetle, assume the adult beetle state in October itl remain under-ground for seven mouths before ..."

2. The Protection of Woodlands Against Dangers Arising from Organic and by G. Kauschinger, Hermann Heinrich von Fürst (1893)
"The Cockchafer, May-beetle, or May-bug, Melolontha vulgaris. As a beetle, this insect's attacks are almost exclusively confined to broad-leaved species of ..."

3. Report of the Secretary of Agriculture by United States Dept. of Agriculture (1863)
"As regards the best means of destroying the perfect May beetle, ... As the larvae resemble those of the May beetle in their ..."

4. How to Make the Garden Pay by Tuisco Greiner (1890)
"See May beetle. MAGGOT—Cabbage, Onion, etc. See Onion Fly. May beetle. ... Both beetle and larva are shown in May beetle and Grub. illustration. ..."

5. The Minnesota Horticulturist by Minnesota State Horticultural Society (1878)
"Salt is said to be a remedy. Few if any birds prey upon them. May beetle. In the month of June the May beetle ..."

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