Cetonia aurata

Rose Chafer, Green Rose Chafer

The Green Rose Chafer or simply Rose Chafer (Cetonia aurata) is a beetle from the family of scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae) that is often found in parks and gardens. Incidentally, the cockchafers also belong to this family.

Cetonia aurata

The beetles fly from April to November. They feed on nectar and plant juices and are often found in the blossoms of roses, fruit trees, rhubarb or elderberry. But they also like the juice of grapes, tomatoes and other mostly overripe fruit.

Rose Chafer on grapes
A Rose Chafer on grapes.

The larvae live in dead wood and feed on it. They pupate already one year after hatching, the beetles appear either in autumn or the following spring.

Rose Chafer on Hoary Cress
A Rose Chafer on the flowers of the Hoary Cress (Lepidium draba).

When touched, the beetles drop to the ground. They grow between 15 and 20 millimetres long. They are variable in the colouration of the elytra, ranging from greenish to brownish metallic. In contrast to the related cockchafers, they are diurnal and can often be seen at midday.

Rose Chafer larvas
Rose Chafer larvas

Rose Chafer larva

Rose Chafer

Family: Scarabs (Scarabaeidae)
Origin: Europe to China, Turkey, Siberia

Cetonia aurata

Cetonia aurata

Cetonia aurata

Cetonia aurata

Cetonia aurata

Cetonia aurata

Cetonia aurata

Cetonia aurata

Cetoniaaurata

Cetonia

C aurata

Cetonia aurata Pyrrhocoris apterus

Pyrrhocoris apterus Cetonia aurata
Cetonia aurata & Pyrrhocoris apterus

Categories: Beetles, Bugs & Cockroaches | Insects