Rose chafer

Scientific Classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Family:	Scarabaeidae
Genus:	Cetonia[?]
Species:	aurata

Binomial name

Cetonia aurata

Rose Chafer (Cetonia aurata, Scarab, also known as the Goldsmith beetle, Golden Fly) is a reasonably large beetle growing to 18mm (0.7in) long that has metallic green coloration (but can be bronze, copper, violet, blue/black or grey) with a distinct v shape across the upper back just below the head and having several other irregular small white lines and marks. The underneath is a coppery colour. Laborious movement amongst grass and vegetation and capable of flight. Found on roses (from where it gets its name), a very common insect in some areas usually seen between May to June/July occasionally to September, usually in sunny weather. Feeds on foliage, buds, flowers and fruits of blackberry, raspberry[?], strawberry, cabbage, beans, beet and pepper.

Larvae overwinter in soil or rotting timber, rising to the surface in the spring to pupate[?]. After a few weeks the adult beetle emerges to feed for 4-6 weeks. Following mating the females deposit groups of 6-40 eggs about 15cm (6in) below the soil surface in sandy or grassy areas and then die (eggs are occasionally laid in rotting wood). Larvae hatch, depending on the temperature, in 1-3 weeks to voraciously feed on plant roots. Found over Southern and central Europe and parts of America, but apparently uncommon in the UK. They are capable of a heavy lumbering flight with a low droning sound. Commonly known as Leaf Chafers.