BTB Cetonia carthami (Gory and Percheron, 1833)
(Please note I have put the initials BTB before this species Latin name, as not 100% sure. This species does vary in colorations, from green to copper tones).
Also known as The Sardinia rose Chafer.
May to October.
Body length 14 to 20mm (averaging slightly smaller than C. aurata)
Family: Scarabaeidae
This Beetle is very closely related with Cetonia aurata, which is found all over Europe and is a world-wide recognised species, whereas C. carthami is mainly restricted to most of mainland Spain, Portugal and obviously Sardinia, hence its more common name the “Sardinia rose Chafer.”
Habitat: Parks, gardens, woodland edges, meadows and grasslands especially with flowers. Their favourite flowers are plants that are in associated with the Rose family, “Rosaceae.”
They are regarded as a garden pest, because they will devour the young leaves and bud heads of a plant, not just for the pollen and nectar, a flowering plant has to offer. Although they are also regarded as a beneficial, saprophagous species (Known as detritivores), these are animals that feed on dead organic materials).
They have sickle shaped claws, which enables the beetle to cling very securely on the stems and petals, while devouring the plant.
Like most beetles, they are very strong and agile flyers.
The female beetle will lay her eggs in decaying organic matter, such as composts and naturally decaying vegetation. Soon after laying her eggs the adult beetle will die.
When the larvae hatch, they grow very quickly, feeding either in leaf mould, compost, rotting wood and even in manure. They have a two-year life cycle and will pupate in the warmer summer months of June and July and emerge as adults, in early Autumn.