# Aplidia transversa Aplidia transversa is a small, colorful insect that loves to hide in plants. Its bright colors help it blend in with flowers, making it a little tricky to spot! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Aplidia transversa](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Haplidia.transversa.-.calwer.19.12.jpg&width=800) Photo: Emil Hochdanz, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Haplidia.transversa.-.calwer.19.12.jpg) ## Appearance The Aplidia transversa is a reddish-brown chafer beetle covered in fine, light hairs, giving it a velvety look. It often features subtle, lighter transverse bands across its wing cases, distinguishing it from plain brown relatives. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Scarabaeidae - **Genus:** Aplidia ## Interesting facts - Its babies, called grubs, live hidden underground for several years before transforming! - Some Aplidia transversa can appear in huge swarms, covering entire trees at night! - These beetles often gather around lights at night, thinking they are the moon! - When they fly, these beetles create a distinct buzzing sound, almost like a tiny helicopter! ## Special abilities - **Night Navigator:** Aplidia transversa can fly powerfully through the night sky to find food and mates, thanks to its robust wings. - **Armor Plating:** Aplidia transversa has a hard, protective exoskeleton that shields it from predators and environmental hazards. - **Scent Seeker:** Aplidia transversa can detect faint pheromones and plant scents with its specialized antennae, helping it locate mates and food sources. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-30 mm - **Size:** 12-16 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These beetles mostly munch on plant leaves and roots, helping recycle nutrients in their ecosystem. - **Age differences:** Larvae feed on plant roots underground, while adults consume the leaves of trees and shrubs. - **Primary Foods:** Oak leaves, Fruit tree leaves, Grass roots, Various plant roots - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Barn Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barn-owl) (*Tyto alba*) — Nocturnal hunters, they prey on adult beetles flying at night. - **Eaten by:** [European Hedgehog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-hedgehog) (*Erinaceus europaeus*) — Forages for grubs and adult beetles on the ground. - **Eats:** [Holm Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/holm-oak) (*Quercus ilex*) — Adults feed on the leaves of this common Mediterranean tree. - **Eats:** [Plum Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/plum-tree) (*Prunus domestica*) — Adult beetles can sometimes defoliate fruit trees. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don’t touch insects, as some can be delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Aplidia transversa? Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Aplidia transversa's wingspan? 20-30 mm ### How big is Aplidia transversa? 12-16 mm ### How long does Aplidia transversa live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Aplidia transversa fly? 8 km/h ### What does Aplidia transversa eat? These beetles mostly munch on plant leaves and roots, helping recycle nutrients in their ecosystem. ### Where is Aplidia transversa usually found? Forests ### How does Aplidia transversa hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Aplidia transversa: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/aplidia-transversa)