Oriental Flower Beetle

Bronze body scattered with fine white spots.

Scientific name	Protaetia orientalis
English name	Oriental Flower Beetle
Japanese name	白点花潜
Class	昆虫綱
Order	コウチュウ目
Family	コガネムシ科
Genus	シロテンハナムグリ属
Species	シロテンハナムグリ
Subspecies	submarumorea
Full length	25mm
Distribution	Distributed throughout Japan.

Oriental Flower Beetle Characteristics and Morphology

A flower chafer with a bronze body tinged with green, scattered with white spots.
The head is small. It flies by extending its hindwings while keeping its forewings (elytra) closed. The silhouette of the abdomen is close to a rectangle, and the back is flat. It is scattered with white spots, which is the origin of its Japanese name.

Oriental Flower Beetle Ecology

Habitat

Found in mixed forests, green spaces, and parks. It is also commonly seen in urban areas.

Food

Although its Japanese name "Hanamuguri" implies "burrowing into flowers," it prefers tree sap.

Life Cycle

Adults overwinter and will breed relatively anywhere if conditions are right.

Oriental Flower Beetle Photos

Oriental Flower Beetle Photos are introduced.
Tap the photo to open the detail page.

It can extend its hindwings without opening its forewings.

After some hesitation, it landed on the grass.

Oriental Flower Beetle Behavior

The buzzing sound of its wings is quite loud, giving the impression of a large insect in flight. It can be quite painful if it collides with you while you are walking or riding a bicycle. Its shape is similar to the drone beetle (Kanabun), and since their habitats and food sources are also very similar, they are thought to be in competition.

Oriental Flower Beetle Information

Naming

The genus name "Protaetia" is thought to be related to being "splendid" or "bright," while the species name "orientalis" means "of the east."

Oriental Flower Beetle Found Locations

Along the Asa River, Hachioji City

While walking along the Asa River in Hachioji City, I discovered an individual flying at about knee height. It was circling around and seemed like it might collide with me if I passed, so I waited for it to land. It settled on some grass, so I moved closer and took a photo.
They are found pretty much everywhere, including parks and near streetlights at night. Among the beetles commonly seen, this one leaves a particularly active and powerful impression.