Cetonia aurata pisana: caresheet

Cetonia aurata is one of europe's most common flowerbeetles. In western Europe Cetonia aurata aurata is present, with few, infrequent variations to be found. Another subspecies, Cetonia aurata pisana occurs naturally in Italy, Corse and some small patches in southern France. This subspecies has much more frequent colour variations and is to my opinion much more interesting to breed.

Cetonia aurata blue pisana form

Caresheet:

- Setting up the adults:

Breeding boxes can be set up in the usual way. Fill up a box with good quality substarte of medium humidity. The depth of the substrate can needs to be at least three times the length of the adult. I have had good breeding on a deeper substrate, about 15cm. I use flakesoil mixed with spaghnum peat. However commonly used mulched leafsubstrate is also an option. Make sure the bottom 2-3 cm of the substrate are well compressed. The rest of the substrate must be finely mulched.
In order to have some relief from fungal gnats the top of the subtrate can be dried a little.

On top of the substrate you place enough objects for the beetles to have some grip on, so they easily can get up if they fall on their backs. Sticks, bark, patches of moss, some decorations: they all work out. Offer beetlejelly and/or fresh fruit as food for the adults. Ofcourse these need to be replaced when spoiled. Make sure the breeding box is ventilated enough, and that he lid is secure. 

An example of a breeding box can be found below.

The adults enjoy some climbing opportunities. Spraying water once or twice a weak and feeding dissolved bee-pollen can enhance lifespan. The lifespan of adults can vary between 2 to 6 months.

- Eggs ,larvae and pupae:

The eggs of this species are very small. Digging for the eggs takes a lot of time without any benefit for future results, and therefore is not encouraged. After setting up the breeding box you can expect to find the first very small larvae in the substrate after about 2 weeks. It isn't necesary to remove these larvae from the substrate. They do not eat other eggs or larvae.

The larvae grow very quick to L3 size. In about 2-3 months they reach this stage. Make sure to always provide enough substrate in order to achieve big adults. Larvae can be kept together. The amount of larvae per liter of substrate depends on how often you add new substrate. I check my larvae only 4-5 times during their development. I keep about 8-10 larvae per liter of substrate. Ofcourse substrate changes are required more frequently as larvae grow.

Cetonia aurata pisana is a palearctic species. The larvae naturally experience a winterperiod in which they become inactive (=diapause). For many of these species it is important to assure that they have this diapause. Otherwise adults may not lay eggs or very few. It is not yet confirmed if Cetonia aurata pisana needs diapause too. I will diapause them to play it safe, and I recommend all people who breed this species to do the same. This diapause doesn't need to be freezing cold. The average wintertemperature in Italy and Corse in the month january is still 8°C, with an average minimum of around 4°C. Below freezing temperatures occur but infrequent. A diapause at a temperature of about 8 degrees would probably be ok for this species. This must be done in the period from december to february. Placing the boxes in a cellar, an unheated attic or a gardenshed are good options to give the larvae their wintering. The larvae in this period dive down into the substrate, make a small chamber and rest in that chamber. It is best not to disturb the larvae in this period. Checking the substrate is not needed as the larvae do not eat during this period, they are inactive.

When temperatures start to rise the larvae get active again and start feeding at a high rate. In well synchronised populations, the larvae eat untill april/may and construct their pupal cells. Emergence takes place about 3 week to a month after construction of the pupal cells. Pupal cells need no special adpatations, no drying, no sandy substrate. The pupae shouldn't be taken out of their cells.

Variation of Cetonia aurata pisana

Cetonia aurata pisana, mixed group of some common variations.
Full Green, bicolor purple/green, bicolor deep green/green

Cetonia aurata pisana is a highly variable species. The normal green colour occurs, but there are plenty of different variations: blue, orange, crimson, maroon, black and purple. Above that there are plenty of bicoloured forms with differently coloured pronotum and elytrae. Also the sculletum can be differently coloured, as well as the ventral side. This makes this species a perfect beetle to do selection processes on. For the moment I have selected three groups to do some selection on: One orange/red group, one group with mixed deep red and blue varieties, and one group with more normal forms such as green, green/purple and sightly orange individuals. The last group will only be to see what the rate of recessive genes (if they play a role) would be. Should this group yield blue/red/black individuals it is a slight proof of genetic recessiveness of this more rare forms.

It is still unclear if these varieties are genetic or depend on external factors such as temperature, humidity and substratecomposition. Breeding the beetles might clarify this.

Red form. Notice the mites on the beetle, as often seen on wild beetles.

Deep blue, nearly black individual.
As you see the ventral side is very hairy :)