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AIBU?

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Original poster

Where are the May bugs?

69 replies

Tortoisel · 26/05/2026 22:45

It just occurs to me this eve sitting outside that I am yet to be attacked by a May bugs which is a customary annual tradition.

Not complaining because I bloody hate it, but also slightly concerning if they really have just disappeared!

Anyone seen the May bugs this year?

YABU - May bugs have been out here
YANBU - Your right! No May bugs

OP posts:
Floatlikeafeather2 · 26/05/2026 23:32

MsGreying · 26/05/2026 23:15

My garden is alive. It's absolutely packed with plants (some technically weeds) and I've not cut the grass for three years. it is so green and lush. Tons of bees, beetles, mayflies and other bugs. Birds hiding in the hedge. Probably hedgehogs too scurrying about.. not been sat out after dusk but there's usually some. Bats overhead.

The other manicured gardens on my street are devoid of all of this wildlife.

My garden is full of insect life too but sadly no Maybugs this year. It's very sad.

ReadingSoManyThreads · 26/05/2026 23:31

SpinelessBastardsAll · 26/05/2026 23:12

What? This beauty? They are adorable! I don't think they bite.

Holy shit!

I just thought the OP meant bugs generally speaking, as we're in May lol

justasking111 · 26/05/2026 23:30

None this year. I think they're cute. My DH is terrified of stag beetles he was camping once and they swarmed all over the tent in the dark.

ReadingSoManyThreads · 26/05/2026 23:29

ReignOfError · 26/05/2026 22:50

They are all in my bedroom.

Beat me to it!

Floatlikeafeather2 · 26/05/2026 23:25

Metromayhem · 26/05/2026 22:52

What’s a May bug? I’ve just googled it which tells me it’s a fucking massive beetle…surely people aren’t being bitten/have infestation in their bedroom if these monsters??

They don't bite and they're definitely not common enough to infest anywhere.

Metromayhem · 26/05/2026 23:24

SpinelessBastardsAll · 26/05/2026 23:12

What? This beauty? They are adorable! I don't think they bite.

Sorry but this is quite cute! Are they fluffy?
Love his jazzy headband 😂 not sure I’d want him flying at me though.

Floatlikeafeather2 · 26/05/2026 23:23

florenceandthemac · 26/05/2026 22:46

I’m currently scratching my bites

They don't bite.

Floatlikeafeather2 · 26/05/2026 23:23

Giftpawslab · 26/05/2026 22:54

Do they bite? I didn't think they did.

OP I had a massive one terrorising me last night so they are definitely around

No, they don't bite.
My husband and I were just saying yesterday that we hadn't seen any this year.
I love them, with their feathery antennae like great long eyelashes.

InterestedDad37 · 26/05/2026 23:22

They're beautiful - but I haven't seen one for years!

Original poster
Tortoisel · 26/05/2026 23:21

🤣

OP posts:
Giftpawslab · 26/05/2026 23:20

Yes you are correct, they are cockchafers which i think is an absolutely fantastic name

Original poster
Tortoisel · 26/05/2026 23:20

SpinelessBastardsAll · 26/05/2026 23:12

What? This beauty? They are adorable! I don't think they bite.

They are kind of cute from the front. Never seen this view because it’s usually a black flying saucer battering me with its giant shell and wings ☠️

OP posts:
Mistyloo22 · 26/05/2026 23:19

I saw my first one last Saturday, we were all terrified as it is massive, it was the first time that I have seen one in my house.

SquirrelFan · 26/05/2026 23:19

Wait, why has no-one mentioned that they are actually, according to the Wildlife Trust, called (drum roll please)...The Common Cockchafer?

PomplaMouse · 26/05/2026 23:18

Jossse · 26/05/2026 23:15

May bugs do not bite humans. They have a sad life… eat, consummate, die. Give them a break poor things.. oooh … Maybe that’s why they’re in our garden 😂

They have a sad life… eat, consummate, die
Sounds alright!

Original poster
Tortoisel · 26/05/2026 23:18

PomplaMouse · 26/05/2026 23:14

They might not be lookers, but they're beetles rather than cockroaches.

More like a heftier, plain, but non-bitey ladybird I guess.

Show quote history

I would say ‘heftier’ is an understatement lol 😂

They are flying tanks. Shudder at the thought.

But I am sad if they are not here this year 😢

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 26/05/2026 23:17

Not mayflies, maybugs. They are completely different creatures.

PomplaMouse · 26/05/2026 23:16

SpinelessBastardsAll · 26/05/2026 23:12

What? This beauty? They are adorable! I don't think they bite.

Okay that's actually pretty cute. Love the fancy antenna.

MsGreying · 26/05/2026 23:15

My garden is alive. It's absolutely packed with plants (some technically weeds) and I've not cut the grass for three years. it is so green and lush. Tons of bees, beetles, mayflies and other bugs. Birds hiding in the hedge. Probably hedgehogs too scurrying about.. not been sat out after dusk but there's usually some. Bats overhead.

The other manicured gardens on my street are devoid of all of this wildlife.

Jossse · 26/05/2026 23:15

May bugs do not bite humans. They have a sad life… eat, consummate, die. Give them a break poor things.. oooh … Maybe that’s why they’re in our garden 😂

BertieBotts · 26/05/2026 23:14

SpinelessBastardsAll · 26/05/2026 23:12

What? This beauty? They are adorable! I don't think they bite.

The problem is your picture is life size 😱

PomplaMouse · 26/05/2026 23:14

Tortoisel · 26/05/2026 22:53

They are hideous! Giant FLYING cockroaches

Show quote history

They might not be lookers, but they're beetles rather than cockroaches.

More like a heftier, plain, but non-bitey ladybird I guess.

BertieBotts · 26/05/2026 23:14

They don't come out every year. Their breeding cycle is something like every 3-5 years. They only come out the year that they are ready, the rest of the time they lurk in the ground just being disgusting enormous grubs. 🤢

If you have seen them every year you are probably seeing different swarms. Maybe this year is a lucky year and you won't get any.

God they are bloody awful. I remember the year we had a swarm near us and if we weren't quick enough to close the windows in the evening they would just fly in and then try to attack the light. DH managed to have one land on his back, I have NEVER seen him scream like that and he's usually absolutely fine with insects, even the biggest spiders and hornets don't phase him.

And yes luckily they don't bite or they would be even more hideous!!

They are very easily confused by light because they think every light source is the moon.

Giftpawslab · 26/05/2026 23:12

DH had never seen one until last night. It was blocking me from getting into the house so I called him to come out and rescue me. He came out telling me to stop being a baby then he saw it and soon changed his tune 😂

SpinelessBastardsAll · 26/05/2026 23:12

What? This beauty? They are adorable! I don't think they bite.

Where are the May bugs?