David Element's Wildlife Web Page Beetles 22

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

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.