Rose Chafer

Cetonia aurata

Rose Chafers are shiny beetles that love to eat flowers. They are often seen in gardens during the summer!

Habitat: Gardens and meadows

Appearance

The Rose Chafer is a brilliantly metallic beetle, often appearing iridescent green with a golden or coppery sheen. It has a distinctive flattened body shape and fine white markings on its sides, making it easily distinguishable from other green beetles.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderColeopteraFamilyScarabaeidaeGenusCetonia

Rose Chafer

Interesting facts

Adult Rose Chafers are known to buzz like tiny helicopters when they fly!

Most of a Rose Chafer's life is spent underground as a hungry grub!

Their shiny green color isn't paint, but light bouncing off tiny structures!

They have special grooves in their legs to help them climb slippery plants.

Special abilities

Rose Chafers can fly with their hardened wing cases (elytra) closed, because of a gap on the sides that helps them launch quickly.

Rose Chafers have a vivid, iridescent green exoskeleton that helps them blend in with foliage or surprise predators.

Rose Chafer larvae can decompose dead wood and plant matter, which helps recycle nutrients back into the soil.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 25-35 mm
Size: 14-20 mm
Lifespan: 30-60 days
Flight Speed: 5-10 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

These beetles love to munch on sweet flower parts like pollen and nectar, and sometimes soft fruits!

Age differences: Larvae (grubs) eat decaying wood and plant matter; adults feed on flowers and fruits.

Primary Foods

pollen
nectar
flower petals
soft fruits
tree sap

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

French Rose

Rosa gallica

Feeds on nectar and pollen, aiding flower reproduction.

eaten by

European Robin

Erithacus rubecula

Birds are common predators of adult Rose Chafers.

depends on

European Beech

Fagus sylvatica

Larvae often feed on decaying wood of broadleaf trees.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.

Herbivorous

Meet the peaceful munchers and grazers who find all their nourishment from plants, leaves, and fruits. They transform plant energy into life!

Diurnal

Wake up with creatures that are most active during the day! They love the sunshine for finding food, playing, and exploring.

Pollinator

Meet the busy helpers of the plant world! These creatures carry pollen from one flower to another, helping plants make seeds and grow fruits and vegetables.