TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Scarabaeidae
Subfamily: Cetoniinae

Genus/species: Pachnoda marginata

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: They have a yellow with brownish-black front wings that can be seen on its back. Their body is shiny black. Size of around (2,5 cm) 1 inch

DISTRIBUTION: Central and Western Africa

DIET IN THE WILD: These adult beetles eat flowers and fruit. Their larvae have enzyme-releasing microbes in their digestive system which breakdown tough fibrous food. The larvae and their internal microorganisms recycle nutrients back to the forest floor.

REPRODUCTION: Eggs and grubs live underground. The grubs eat rotten fruit and decomposing leaves.
From egg to beetle takes about 3 to 5 months depending on temperature and beetles will live for 2 to 5 months.

REMARKS: the most common pet beetle

References

California Academy of Sciences Rainforest 2018

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink https://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1Tn

Ron’s flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/38840093994/in/dateposted-public/