Get to know the rose chafer

Get to know the rose chafer

the essentials in brief

  • There are around 3000 different species of rose beetles, most of which are native to the world's tropical regions.
  • They often stand out due to their shiny metallic colors and colorful patterns.
  • Native species are useful in the garden as they help produce humus and pollinate flowering plants. Larvae in the compost are mostly rose chafer grubs.
  • Exotic species can be kept in terrariums and are popular and, depending on the variety, quite uncomplicated pets.

What are rose beetles?

Like the closely related May or June beetles, rose beetles (lat. Cetoniinae) belong to the scarab beetles (lat. Scarabaeidae). The family is distributed all over the world, with a large proportion of the approximately 3,000 species native to the tropical regions. In Germany, only the gold-shining rose beetle (lat. Cetonia aurata, also “common rose beetle”), the less common large rose beetle (lat. Protaetia speciosissima, also “large gold beetle”) and the copper rose beetle (lat. Protaetia cuprea). The other European species are rather rare in this country or are at home in the Mediterranean region.

also read

  • What does a rose beetle do in a flower pot?
  • Should you fight rose chafer grubs?
  • Get to know the hornet queen

Great biodiversity

The approximately 3000 different species of rose beetles are divided into 400 different genera. Only 14 of these varieties are native to Europe, the rest of the warmth-loving insects are primarily found in the tropics.

Overview of the European rose chafer

rose beetle

The rose beetles listed in the following table can be observed in the garden or in the wild - with a bit of luck, as most species are considered to be severely endangered. The probability of this is particularly high in southern Germany - primarily Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg - as the animals are considered to be warmth loving. The list does not claim to be complete.

ArtAlternative namesScientific nameOccurrencesizecoloringparticularities
Shiny gold rose beetleCommon rose chaferCetonia aurataall of Europe, Asia Minor and the Middle East to China14 to 20 millimetersmetallic green-gold shimmeringis under nature protection in Germany
Mourning rose beetleBlack rose beetleOxythyrea funestamainly in the Mediterranean area, rarely in southern Germany8 to 12 millimetersshiny black, lots of white spots / spotsendangered species
Big rose chaferBig gold beetleProtaetia speciosissimaCentral Europe22 to 28 millimetersshimmering metallic green goldendangered species
Copper rose beetleVariable rose beetleProtaetia cupreaCentral Europe14 to 23 millimetersshimmering metallic green goldis under nature protection in Germany
Bronze green rose chaferMarbled rose beetleProtaetia lugubrisCentral Europe19 to 25 millimetersshiny metallic with many white spotsendangered species
Shaggy rose beetle-Tropinota hirtaSouthern and Central Europe8 to 11 millimetersmatt black, noticeable hairendangered species

Overview of exotic rose beetles

Many of the rose beetle species known in this country come from Central Africa, where they are mainly found in the rainforests and tree-lined savannas. Due to their size and their bright color, some of these varieties are very popular for keeping terrariums, especially since this is considered to be quite uncomplicated. In the following table we introduce you to some of the most famous exotic rose beetles.

ArtScientific nameOccurrencesizecoloringfoodparticularities
African rose chafer (Uganda rose chafer)Mecynorhina torquata ugandensisParts of Uganda and the Congousually between 50 and 60 millimeters, sometimes significantly largervery variable, multicoloredImagines fruits, larvae humusvery common in terrariums
Congo rose beetlePachnoda marginatamainly Congo, but also other parts of Central Africa20 to 25 millimetersvariable, multicoloredLarvae feed on leaves and fruitspopular in terrarium keeping
Goliath beetleGoliathusWest and Central Africaup to ten centimeters long, larvae up to 15 centimetersconspicuously black and whiteTree sapsare among the largest and heaviest beetles ever
South African fruit beetlePachnoda sinuataSouth Africa and Namibia20 to 25 millimetersconspicuous black-yellow, yellow undersideFruit and flowersclassified as a pest in its homeland
-Eudicella tetraspilotaCentral Africa25 to 40 millimetersvariable, multicoloredfruitpopular in terrarium keeping

Characteristic features

rose beetle

Typical of most rose beetles is their magnificent color, which is why some species are often kept as pets in the terrarium. The animals are often shiny metallic or otherwise conspicuously colored, and they also have a second pair of wings, which is rather unusual for beetles. They can unfold this under the closed wings through a curve and so fly. This makes the animals look a bit clumsy and clumsy. The larvae of the rose beetle are, typical for grubs, mostly curved in a C-shape and only stretch out in the supine position. By the way, grubs are not only used to refer to the larvae of May and June beetles, but also to the general offspring of all scarab beetles.

Way of life

The adult rose beetles - called adults - feed mainly on liquid leaf and tree sap as well as flower nectar and fruit. Some varieties even eat whole flowers and are therefore classified as pests. A typical example of this is the South African fruit beetle. The larvae mostly live in rotting wood or sludge and feed on it. However, the specific way of life of the beetle is strongly dependent on the species and therefore variable.

Rose chafer in the garden

Have you found a golden rose chafer in your garden? Then it is most likely the common or shiny gold rose beetle (Latin: Cetonia aurata), which is quite common during the summer months. Since this species, like all rose beetles, loves warmth, you will find the animals especially during lunchtime on roses and other large-flowered plants such as:

  • elder
  • Dogwood
  • Hawthorn
  • Fruit trees
  • Umbelliferae

The larvae, on the other hand, feel very comfortable in compost, as they find food in abundance here. In the wild, however, the offspring tend to grow and thrive in rotting wood, for example at the foot of large and old trees.

Pest or beneficial insect?

rose beetle

Many a gardener carelessly destroys the rose beetle grubs found when digging up the compost. No wonder, after all, the white larvae can easily be confused with those of the May, June or even the garden beetle. In contrast to these scarab beetles, neither the larvae nor the adult rose beetles belong to the pests - on the contrary.

While the rose beetle larvae live mainly on the rotting organic components of the compost during their approximately two-year larval period and thus make an important contribution to its conversion into valuable humus, the adult beetles mainly feed on pollen and nectar. Since they prefer liquid food, vegetable juices (which arise from cuts etc.) or juices from ripe fruits can also be on the menu.

Eating damage in the form of nibbled petals and other parts of the plant, however, is not to be feared - unless the population becomes so overwhelming that the food available is not enough for all rose beetles and their larvae. However, this is only very rarely the case, for example when the grubs develop in a small flower pot. Here the rose beetle larvae sometimes eat the roots because they are so hungry, but this behavior is not normal.

The importance of the rose beetle and its larvae at a glance:

  • neither adult beetles nor larvae eat parts of plants
  • Larvae do not feed on roots and other subterranean plant parts
  • adult rose beetles need liquid food such as pollen and nectar
  • Larvae feed on rotting organic matter
  • Rose beetles, on the other hand, help pollinate plants
  • Larvae are important for humus formation

Because of these important roles for the ecosystem, the rose beetle was voted “Insect of the Year” in 2000. The fact that the pretty animals are also considered an endangered species probably also played a not insignificant role in the decision. None of the reasons has changed until today.

Digression

Rose beetles are protected

In contrast to the other rose beetle species, the golden rose beetle is not considered to be in acute danger of extinction, but is nevertheless subject to the Federal Nature Conservation Act and is therefore a particularly protected species. This in turn means that you do not catch, collect or even collect the adult beetles or their larvae allowed to kill. Therefore, if you find white grubs, check exactly which species it is.

Rose chafer larvae in the compost

rose beetle

If you find grubs in the compost, they are almost always the useful larvae of the rose beetle. Make sure you dig them back in as soon as possible, because they die quickly in the sun or air. The larvae of the cockchafer, on the other hand, can be found where the table is abundantly covered with plant roots - because these little animals feed on them, which is why they - in contrast to the rose beetle grubs - can cause considerable damage in the garden. You will hardly ever find cockchafer larvae or juniper beetle larvae in the compost, because there is a lack of their favorite food, living plant roots.

Rose beetle or cockchafer larva? This is how you tell the grubs

Rose and cockchafer larvae look very similar on the outside, but can be distinguished from one another quite reliably on the basis of certain external characteristics and their way of locomotion. For this locomotion test, it is best to place the larvae found on a flat surface.

Rose chaferCockchaferJune beetle
body length5 to 7 centimeters5 to 7 centimeters5 to 7 centimeters
body shapethicker behind than in front, weak stubby legsevenly thick, strong, longer legsevenly thick
coloringwhite, gray-black shadeswhite-yellow body, brown headwhite-yellow body, brown head
Locomotionstretches, stumpy legs up, crawls away on his backremains crooked on its side and tries to crawl awaystretches, crawls into the prone position

By the way: Even if the larvae of May and June beetles are pests, these species have now become very rare. In the meantime, the two species were considered almost extinct, but the populations seem to be gradually recovering. Therefore, if possible, do not kill the larvae, but maybe just dig them up and put them back in another place. Incidentally, neither the May beetle nor the June beetle are under nature protection.

Tips

If the larvae found in the compost are particularly large specimens, you have probably discovered larvae of the rare rhinoceros beetle (Latin Oryctes nasicornis). These are often more than seven centimeters long and also count among the beneficial organisms that produce humus.

Development and life expectancy

Depending on the weather, the rose beetle flight time begins in April. At this point in time, the Brummer come out of their winter quarters. The females soon begin to lay their eggs, for which they look for a suitable place in a compost heap or on modern wood. The spherical, small eggs are whitish in color. The larvae hatch after a few days.

  • The larvae develop over a period of two to three years.
  • The larvae are up to five centimeters long.
  • They molt twice.
  • They feed on decomposing, organic material such as wood residues, fruits, sludge etc.
  • At the time of pupation, the larvae build cocoons from earth, sand and scraps of wood.
  • Pupation takes around three weeks, then the finished beetle hatches.
  • Pupation usually takes place in late summer / early autumn.
  • The young, newly hatched beetles overwinter in the ground.
  • They don't appear until spring.

From this point on, the finished beetle will live for another five to seven months, unless it has previously fallen victim to an accident, disease or predator (e.g. a songbird). However, the animal does not overwinter one more time, but dies in autumn at the latest.

Fight rose beetles? You can do that

Since the rose beetle is under nature protection and is also very useful in the garden, you must not fight it. Neither biological nor chemical nor household remedies are permitted as measures. However, if the animals in your garden feel too comfortable and reproduce excessively, you can make them uncomfortable with a few simple measures:

  • Keep the compost under lock and key, especially when the eggs are laid in spring.
  • Always clear out rotting wood and other dead wood in the vicinity.
  • Collect adult beetles and release them elsewhere.
  • The best time to do this is early in the morning, as the beetles here are still quite sluggish and hardly able to move.
  • Dig up the larvae and put them back in another suitable place.

But as already said: Strictly speaking, these measures are not necessary, since it is a real beneficial organism.

Rose beetle larvae in a flower pot - How to save your potted plants

It only becomes problematic when the larvae have nested in a flower pot. In such a case it can quickly become too cramped and, above all, feed shortages occur, which is why the grubs - contrary to their nature - also eat living plant roots. However, it doesn't have to be:

  1. Lift the plant and the root ball out of the pot.
  2. Carefully collect all of the grubs.
  3. They do not bite and are not poisonous.
  4. First, put them in another pot filled with soil.
  5. Bury the larvae in a suitable place as soon as possible.
  6. Clean the planter and put your plant back in a fresh substrate.

Do not leave the larvae without protection for too long, as they only survive very briefly in the sun. A suitable new home should be rich in humus and decaying plant debris. The garden compost is ideal for this purpose.

Keep and breed rose beetles

rose beetle

Due to their dazzling blaze of colors, rose beetles are popular pets that can be kept in terrariums. Sufficiently large plastic boxes from the hardware store are suitable for this, as are high-quality housings made of glass, for example. It is only important that the containers can be ventilated, and that the temperature and humidity can be regulated. For smaller beetle species, the terrarium should have an edge length of 30 centimeters each, for larger beetles 50 centimeters are optimal. Do not keep the animals alone, but always in pairs.

Incidentally, rose beetles are very short-lived pets: the adult beetles do not get older than five to seven months. So that you get something from your new darlings, you have to ensure the appropriate reproductive conditions in the terrarium. Then your females lay eggs and you can continuously enjoy new animals and observe them intensively throughout their development. But be careful: rose beetles don't like to be taken out of the terrarium and into your hand. They don't become tame, just stressed out - which in turn has a negative effect on their life expectancy. If you are looking for a cuddly toy, you should better get a rabbit or a guinea pig.

Suitable species

Many species of rose beetle can be used for keeping in terrariums, but not all of them are suitable for beginners. Some species are quite demanding, which is why you need a certain amount of experience and specialist knowledge in addition to a sure instinct. The species Goliathus (Goliath beetle), Argyrophegges (also a giant beetle from the Goliath beetle group), Fornasinius (a black Goliath beetle) and Hegemus (a black Goliath beetle) are particularly difficult to keep and breed with pretty drawing).

However, these types are best for beginners:

  • Pachnoda marginata peregrina : Congo rose beetle, classic in terrarium keeping, needs temperatures between 23 and 27 ° C, a bright location and lighting, substrate height 15 centimeters, deciduous forest humus with rotting white wood
  • Chlorocala africana : optimal temperature between 25 to 30 ° C, at night not less than 18 ° C, high humidity between 70 and 75% (at night 80 to 85%), 15 centimeter thick substrate layer of deciduous humus (oak, beech) and rotting wood
  • Dicronorhina derbyana : optimal temperature between 18 and 25 ° C, 15 centimeter thick substrate layer made of deciduous forest humus
  • Eudicella euthalia bertherandi : Brown rose beetle, optimal temperature between 18 and 25 ° C, humidity between 60 and 80%, 15 cm thick substrate layer of deciduous forest humus

The rose beetles listed here are all diurnal and are therefore suitable as pets.

Where can I buy rose beetles?

If you are interested in the keeping and breeding of rose beetles, you will find appropriate offers in specialized pet shops. However, you will probably not find what you are looking for at the specialist shop around the corner or you will have to order the animals you want there. Buying from online retailers is easier, but you should definitely use reputable offers. The animals do not send them all year round, for example, but only when the weather is appropriate (ie not when it is very hot or cold!) And also mark this in their online shops.

Make sure that you are at home to accept the parcel so that the animals do not have to wait unnecessarily in the mailbox or with the neighbors in the packaging for days. The travel container is not designed for this and can lead to the death of your new pets. As a rule, you can purchase both adult beetles (price around 20 EUR each) or larvae (five pieces around 25 EUR).

Terrarium: Rose beetles feel comfortable with this facility

Setting up the beetle terrarium is quite straightforward: The most important thing is the approximately 15 centimeter thick soil layer made of deciduous humus and rotting wood. Depending on the type, it is best to use the ready-mixed substrate from the dealer or mix it yourself

  • Leaves of forest trees (beeches, oaks)
  • Deciduous humus (bought or from the forest)
  • sand
  • and twigs cut into small pieces (beech, oak)

The substrate should - depending on the beetle species - be moist to rather dry, but in no case dust-dry. Put a few more branches in there for the adult beetles to climb. How you continue to design the interior is entirely up to you and your taste. However, different stones (in groups, as hiding places) and a planting with typical food plants are perfect.

Tips

Avoid using heating mats for heating the terrarium, as these allow the substrate to dry out and thus disrupt the development of the larvae.

What food do rose beetles need?

quince

Rose beetles are pure vegetarians. Either feed the adult beetles with so-called Beetle Jellys (available from specialist retailers) or place ripe to overripe fruit on a flat bowl in the terrarium. The animals especially like to eat bananas, pears, strawberries and mangoes. Colorful flowers that you can pick fresh and give to the animals provide more variety. The rose beetles often sit for hours on hibiscus, pumpkin and zucchini flowers, but also on nasturtiums, clover, dandelions and fruit tree blossoms, enjoying pollen and nectar. The larvae are given a special larval food and overripe bananas.

frequently asked Questions

Are rose beetles poisonous? Are they dangerous to toddlers and pets?

No, rose beetles are not poisonous. Because they are neither poisonous nor bite or sting, they are completely harmless to both children and many pets. So don't worry if your cat or dog has ever eaten such a beetle. By the way: In many regions of West and Central Africa, the 15 centimeter long larvae of the Goliath beetle are considered a delicacy and are also an important source of protein there.

Can the rose beetle fly? When are the animals particularly common?

The native rose chafer species fly between April and October, but are particularly common in the warm summer months - and then especially at lunchtime. In fact, the fat beetles can fly, but to do this they leave the cover wings closed and only push out the pairs of wings below.

Tips

Rose beetles usually pupate in late summer and overwinter as complete beetles in the ground. The same applies to the larvae, which also do not leave the protective earth.