Sun beetle
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. |