Name

Sun beetle

Scientific Name

Pachnoda marginata

Characteristics

There are 9 subspecies of sun beetle. This sub-species is called Pachnoda marginata peregrine. Their shells are golden yellow with large reddish-brown spots.

Sun beetles are egg layers. The females lay their eggs in substrate (soil). Sun beetles begin their lives as white grubs; the grubs stay underground, feeding on rotten vegetation. The sun beetles stay in the grub stage for 3-5 months. They then pupate for approximately 5 weeks before emerging as a fully formed sun beetle.

As the name suggests, sun beetles are more active in the day. It is also believed that sunlight stimulates the beetles to mate. 

Diet

They survive on a diet of fruit and other vegetation.

Size Fact

Most sun beetles grow to about 2.5cm in length.

Food Fact

Sun beetle larvae love to feast on rotten fruit and wood.

Fun Fact

These are thought to be the most popular pet beetle in the world!

IUCN Red list

The sun beetle has not been evaluated on the IUCN Red List.

Where do I live?

Sun beetles are native to Central and Western Africa.