Rose Chafer Beetle - Cetonia aurata

Looking out of the window I suddenly saw (and heard) a flying thing about the size of a large bumble bee gleaming in the sun. It turns out that there were a number of them and all out for just ONE thing ;) They were hanging about the neighbour's Ceanothus bush.
I wondered why I had not seen them before - why would a whole group of them suddenly discover this bush? It appears that my pile of chipped wood left in the garden a couple of years ago in case I could host some Stag Beetles, is just what the Rose Chafer likes.


I've not seen them before, but shapewise thought they looked like Chafer Bugs. I then though it was a Noble Chafer, but it looks like it's a Rose Chafer (one key distinction is the triangle bit at the neck line - it's much shallower on the Noble Chafer). SO I think I'm right... I hope so as if it is they cause no damage, and in fact 'process' dead wood.

No single great shot I'm afraid as the sun was in front of me and I had to carefully place a stool to get even vaguely close... it wasn't a convenient place :)

It looks amazing, Louise - and I'm very sure of your ID! I think you took great pics of it too!:thumbsup:

Two evenings ago, way pat 11pm, I was alarmed by a clattering on the window beside the computer. It was a much less welcome Cockchafer Beetle, not even as pretty as its Reading cousin!:(

Great find Louise, perhaps you could put the first shot in the gallery?

Good idea. I never really think about doing that.

Another couple of shots to show parts of the Beetle. The first one I chose because it shows how gleaming is is (I don't think my earlier photos really get that over). There are not many about now, and they only come out in the sun on the high bush with the sun behind so I've still not managed to get one good shot... but I've tried! :)