David Element
Wildlife Photography and Digital Video Images
___________________________________________________________ Beetles 22 - Rose Chafers
ROSE
CHAFER Cetonia aurata
ROSE
CHAFER Cetonia aurata
hispanica
ROSE CHAFER Cetonia
aurata
ROSE CHAFER Cetonia aurata
ROSE CHAFER Cetonia
aurata
- These
very attractive metallic-looking beetles were photographed in Tuscany
(Toscana), Italy (first two photographs) and the UK where Rose Chafers Cetonia aurata appear to be increasing
their geographical range. The Italian beetles are shown feeding on Teasel Dipsacus fullonum
and unidentified thistles Cirsium sp. Presuming
that their identification is correct there was a mixed population of the
type species Cetonia aurata
and a subspecies C.
aurata hispanica
in which only the abdomen is bright metallic green in colour. These
insects produce a deep buzzing noise in flight and the elytra remain
closed when they fly with the wings protruding through the sigmoid ‘cut-aways’ of their outer edges). The British examples are
more hirsute but it may have been the case that those of the Italian
beetles had been worn away. There is also known to be considerable
variation in the extent of the white markings on the elytra.
- David’s short films of Rose Chafers may
be seen at: https://youtu.be/9RYZFW3QAvA
and: https://youtu.be/WVp25zZ0rnw.
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