Flower Chafers of the UK

Flower chafer beetles are a subgroup of beetles within the family Scarabaeidae, specifically the subfamily Cetoniinae. These beetles are often brightly coloured and are named for their association with flowers, where they feed on nectar, pollen, and soft plant tissues.

This presentation explores the colourful world of flower chafer beetles, with a focus on the 8 species found in the UK. From the common metallic green Rose Chafer” to Bee Beetle bee mimics and the recently established Mediterranean Spotted Chafer, we’ll delve into their ecology, behaviour, and identification features.

At the end of the session, learners should feel more comfortable submitting records of the following species to iRecord:

• European Rose Chafer (Cetonia aurata)
• Copper Chafer (Protaetia cuprea)
• Mediterranean Spotted Chafer (Oxythyrea funesta)
• Noble chafer (Gnorimus nobilis)
• Variable Chafer (Gnorimus variabilis)
• Western Bee Chafer (Trichius fasciatus)
• Eastern Bee Chafer (Trichius gallicus)
• Chequered Chafer (Valgus hemipterus)

This session is perfect for naturalists, entomologists, and anyone curious about the hidden diversity in our gardens and countryside. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, you'll leave with a deeper appreciation for these remarkable insects.

The 90-minute event will consist of a 1-hour presentation followed by a Q&A with the tutor using questions provided by the live audience. The presentation will be recorded and made available following the event to those booked alongside a transcript of the Q&A and useful links.

entoLEARN

Our entoLEARN programme provides training on UK invertebrates through live webinars and online self-study courses, with subject specialists presenting aspects of the biology, ecology and behaviour of UK species.

This webinar is part of our Beetles series:

1. Chafer Beetles of the UK (Mon 19 May 2025) will explore the chafer beetles (subfamily Melolonthinae) found within the UK
2. Flower Chafers of the UK (Mon 07 Jul 2025) will focus on the flower chafer beetles (subfamily Cetoniinae) found within the UK.
3. Longhorn Beetles of the UK is a self-study course and includes two pre-recorded webinars focusing on the longhorn beetles (family Cerambycidae).

If you have missed a webinar and would like to purchase access to the recorded content, please email us at info@biologicalrecording.co.uk

Beetle Specialist: Wil J. Heeney

Wil J. Heeney is the National Recorder for Longhorn Beetles in the UK and runs the National Longhorn Beetle Recording Scheme. Wil works as a Consultant Entomologist through his business, Flauna Ecology, and also volunteers as Conservation Officer for the Coleopterists Society of Britain and Ireland (ColSoc).