- Chondropyga dorsalis
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Cetonia aurata 
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)Chondropyga dorsalis is a large Australian beetle commonly known as a the "cowboy beetle".
Contents
Description
The cowboy beetle grows to 20-25mm 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.
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
- ^ "Species Chondropyga dorsalis". Australian Faunal Directory. http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/online-resources/fauna/afd/taxa/Chondropyga_dorsalis. Retrieved 2009-07-22.
- ^ a b Trevor Hawkeswood (1987). Beetles of Australia. ISBN 0207153523.
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