Oxythyrea funesta (Poda, 1761) common name “White spotted rose beetle”
Family: Cetoniidae
Length 8 to 12mm
The adults appear April to July.
Widespread over the warmer climates of Europe and over to the East Palearctic zone. They are considered an insect pest because they do not just collect pollen but will also damage the whole of the flowering bud, consequently can seriously damage all spring blossoming fruit trees in orchards. Will do damage to ornamental plants by chewing the leaves, petals and will do incomparable damage to the flowers. A problem also to cereal farmers as it will feed on the first ears of rye.
The larvae are up to 30mm long and live in the ground till the following Spring. They feed mostly feed on rotting plant material, although could be a pest to certain ornamental growers as they also eat the roots of plants.
Habitat: Often found on flowers in Grasslands, orchards, farmlands, wherever their food source is plentiful.
The young adult beetles are covered in hairs but these wear off with age.