Flower Beetle – Good Bug for the Garden Collection

The flower Beetle is harmless in the garden

Common Name: Flower Beetle

Scientific Name: Glycyphana stolata

Order: Coleoptera

Family: Scarabaeidae

Host range or situation where pest is usually found: Native flowers and fruit tree flowers. The image in this post is of a flower beetle on a Meyer lemon flower.

Damaging stage (s): Adults feed on flowers but usually only the nectar and larva feeds on dead materials. Not considered a pest especially in small numbers.

Direct feeding damage: Not usually.

Life cycle: Complete metamorphosis – Eggs, larva, pupa, adult beetle

Spread: By winged forms flying, assisted by wind, from plant to plant.

Conditions favouring: Most active in spring and early summer.

Distinguishing features for identification: Usually found feeding on nectar not eating leaves or fruit. More than 4000 different types, colours, and shapes.

Control options available for this situation: Leave them alone as flower beetles don’t usually do much damage to plants.