Chondropyga dorsalis

Chondropyga dorsalis is a large Australian beetle commonly known as the cowboy beetle.

Chondropyga dorsalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Scarabaeidae
Subfamily:
Cetoniinae
Genus:
Chondropyga
Species:
C. dorsalis
Binomial name
Chondropyga dorsalis
(Donovan, 1805)

Description

The cowboy beetle grows to 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) long with females generally slightly larger than males. It has a yellow-brown colouration and when in flight produce a loud buzzing noise which creates the illusion of a large wasp. It also does this when it feels threatened.

Distribution and habitat

It is found in south eastern Australia - throughout Victoria, New South Wales and part of Queensland. Adults feed on nectar while larvae live in rotten wood.[1] They live in woodlands, dry sclerophyll forests and residential gardens.[2]

Life cycle

Eggs are laid in damp locations in or around rotting logs. Once hatched, the larvae feed on the rotting timber until ready to pupate. They construct their pupae from mud and rotting debris. Adults emerge in summer. Adults feed on nectar-bearing shrubs and trees.[2]

References
  1. "Species Chondropyga dorsalis". Australian Faunal Directory. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  2. Trevor Hawkeswood (1987). Beetles of Australia. ISBN 0-207-15352-3.
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