In May, a muffled buzz is carried through the gardens and kitchen gardens of our country - May beetles went fishing. These Lamellar insects are very common throughout Europe and Asia. Often they are also called Khrushchev. Their first, more common, name is really due to the fact that they appear in May, although in the cold years they can linger until June, and in the warm spring the buzz of May beetles is heard already in April. Which of us did not catch them in childhood - large, humming, a little scary. They were tied to strings and allowed to fly around - a swarm of funny points, entertainment for children.
Do you know that until the 50s of the 20th century, the green chafer was a thunderstorm on collective farms? These insects destroyed some plant species and caused significant damage to agriculture. Thanks to the use of pesticides, the
May chafer was practically exterminated in some regions of the country, while in the rest its population decreased significantly. Natural balance was restored only in the 80s, when the use of chemicals in agriculture was reduced.
What does the May bug look like? Photos of representatives of different species may vary: such as beetles, red and black. However, both species are characterized by a greenish tinge to the head and pronotum. Because of this, it is often believed that the May beetle is green.
But what else are these insects so popular with? First of all, by the fact that they are an excellent bait for fishing. These insects will be a tidbit for river species of fish such as asp, ide, chub and czech.
For successful fishing with the bait from the May beetle, you should use the same gear as for float fishing. The exception is the lack of sinker. The method of catching on a horsetail is called fly fishing among fishermen.
In order for fishing on the May beetle to be successful, in addition to selecting gear, you should also take care of the fishing spot. It should be where the river has a strong current. The best choice would be a plot with a tree and a whirlpool.
Check if there is fish in the selected area of the pond. It is enough to throw a few grunts into the water in turn and carefully observe them. If the insects are gone, it's time to uncover your fishing rods.
The last question is how to catch the May bug? Very simple. In the morning and afternoon, he sits on the branches of trees. If you walk in the garden in the morning, you can get enough for fishing. It is also effective, when passing, to shake the future bait from the branches of bushes and low-growing trees directly to the ground. After you have collected the insects, remember that you need to bait them on the hook carefully, so as not to damage the vital organs. While the beetle is alive and moves its legs, it is of great value and interest to the fish, because some species of fish see only a moving target.
Now you know what the May beetle is, a green plant pest, a great bait for fishermen and just one of the symbols of the May warmth, sunny summer and outdoor recreation.