This common European insect is often mistaken for the cockchafer. It is difficult to say what caused this delusion. The golden bronze and the cockchafers (which include the May beetle) belong to the same family, have a similar structure and lead approximately the same lifestyle, but it is quite easy to distinguish one insect from another. Khrushchev look more "modest", as they do not have a bright metallic sheen, characteristic of bronzes. The color of their elytra is brown or reddish-brown, with whitish speckles. The May beetle is larger than the bronze, its length reaches 3 cm. In addition, its body is more elongated and richly covered with hairs (with the exception of the elytra). Unlike the bronzovka, the May beetle is recognized as an agricultural pest.
Golden bronze: classification and habitat
Bronzes belong to the Lamellar (Scarab-like) family and the order Cetonea ("metal" beetles). Their closest relatives are beetles, scarabs, copras, rhinoceros beetles and stag beetles. The largest representative of the family is the goliath beetle, whose weight is about 100 g.copper is one of the most numerous types. It is found in all regions of Europe (except for some regions of Portugal and Spain), in the Crimea, Eastern Siberia, Transcaucasia and some countries of Central Asia. Bronzovka feels comfortable only in a relatively humid climate, so these beetles do not live in deserts. Some species of these insects (in particular, the beautiful and smooth one) are listed in the Red Book, but extinction is not yet threatened by the golden bronze.
Even in regions with an unfavorable ecological situation, the population of the common bronze is not declining.
Her exotic relatives prefer tropical climates. Especially a lot of them in India and Africa.
What does golden bronze look like?
The length of the body of this beetle is from one and a half to two centimeters, the width is up to 1.4 cm. From below, it has a golden-bronze, brownish color. Numerous variations are possible for the elytra, from the most common emerald green to reddish, purple, bright blue, or even black. The main distinguishing feature of golden bronze is a bright metallic (mainly copper) sheen. The elytra are decorated with several light transverse stripes. Compared to the Maybug, the bronze looks smoother and less "woolly". Another interesting feature is manifested in its movement: this beetle does not raise its elytra. To take off, he spreads his wings, folded in half, through special side slots. This trick improves the aerodynamic characteristics of the insect,due to which its flight becomes more maneuverable. As you can see for yourself, the picture below shows a characteristically colored golden bronze (photo in flight).
Development stages
Bronze, like all insects, undergoes several metamorphoses during its life: a larva develops from an egg, a pupa develops from a larva, and an adult develops from it. The whole cycle takes about two to three years, and the beetle lives no more than a year. Bronze females lay their eggs in the summer, at the end of June or in July, and die after some time. After a few weeks, the larvae hatch. They are thick, white or gray in color, reach 6 cm in length. The larvae actively feed on cellulose and organic matter (weed roots, decaying plant remains, bark, hay, manure, mushrooms), and enrich the soil with digested food. Due to the voracity of the larvae, this process is very fast. Living cultivated plants golden bronze (while in the larval stage) does not touch.
The larvae overwinter, burrowing into the ground. The next summer they turn into pupae. To do this, the larvae, with the help of short legs, form a cocoon around themselves from the sticky secretion they secrete. At the end of summer, an adult beetle emerges from the cocoon. Males differ from females only in size: they are larger; in general, sexual dimorphism is not developed in bronzes. The activity of the beetle lasts from late spring to mid-summer.
Lifestyle
Insect bronzovka lives in forests, gardens, parks, meadows and vegetable gardens. femaleslay eggs in compost and manure heaps, rotten stumps, in the hollows of dead trees. Both larvae and adults hibernate in approximately the same places. It is important to note that bronzes prefer hardwoods; rotten firs and pines do not attract them.
It is believed that bronzovkas do not have so many natural enemies. The larvae are parasitized by the scoli and typhia wasps, as well as the tahina fly. Adult beetles become prey for birds. As a rule, bronze animals do not eat, as these insects produce a special toxin that can be fatal for a small predator.
Beetles are active during the daytime, especially when the weather is dry and sunny.
Food
Bronze larvae are beneficial: by utilizing rotting wood, weed roots and organic remains, they contribute to the formation of a fertile soil layer, which has a positive effect on the state of the latter.
But the mouth apparatus of adult beetles is not adapted to absorb rough food. The golden bronze, the photo of which is located below, feeds on plant flowers (stamens, pistils and ovaries).
Also, young leaves and fruits suffer from bronzovok. Do not disdain beetles and tree sap. Unfortunately, bronzes love ornamental plants: roses (because of this they are even called "pink beetles"), peonies, raspberries, grapes, strawberries, and flowers of fruit trees (cherries, apple trees). They are interested in any field, meadow or ornamental plants with sweetjuice.
Gardeners don't like bronzovki for ugly eaten flowers and "skeletonized" leaves.
Bronze in the garden
However, golden bronze is not recognized as a harmful insect. Its larvae are definitely useful, the pupae are harmless, and the damage from adult beetles is negligible. Experts say that bronzovki do not affect the yield of fruit trees. In addition, unlike larvae, adult beetles are not voracious and cannot cause much harm. Therefore, the fight against bronzes (by manual collection or with the use of chemicals) in most cases does not make sense.
