BTB Tropinota squalida (Scopoli, 1783)
Commonly known as the “Hairy Rose Beetle”
Family: Scarabaeidae
Adults May to July.
Adults are 10 to 15mm in length.
The hairs will wear off the beetle with age.
A species of beetle mainly found in the southern countries of Europe, over to the east, into Greece and south into North Africa.
Habitat: Grasslands (often seen in flowers) Orchards, Fruit growing places, (such as Strawberries fields).
The Larva grub, lives in the soil and feeds on rotting plant material and also the roots of plants. The adult beetle can be a major concern to growers, by doing significant damage to the buds and flowers of fruit and ornamental plants throughout the season. The beetle will damage the entire flower, by chewing or consuming the flowers stamen and stigma, in return making the plant sterile.