For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Large Green Fruit Chafer (Dicronorrhina derbyana) Scarabaeidae
Going outside, this Fruit Chafer landed at my feet. Its colors are amazing. It is about and inch in body length and when it opens its wings to fly, they are a dark blue, almost black.
The underside is almost as pretty as its top side.
Here we call them "June Bugs." Some people also call them "Scarabs" too. Actually I don't know what the real name for them is right off hand without Googling them, so I am content for the present to call them June Bugs. We usually have them in great numbers here during the summer but for the last two years in my area, the populations of them have declined.
What a beautiful creature!! I wish the june bugs were that colour here, maybe I wouldn't be so freaked out by them LOL. You know what Joan? I think this summer I'll try to be brave, pick one up in my hands and take a picture. I'll TRY! Lol. Amazing pictures, I really like the first one with the dropplet on its back :)
Hello Ken. They are of the scarab family so they are not wrong. There are a couple of bugs which look very similar to this one so I have to be careful when identifying it. All your rain might be a contributing factor as to their scarcity. With all this rain we are having, there is not much about either.
No they are not poisonous Penny but being so large, a lot of birds will have a problem swallowing them. Have a grea weekend and I am counting the days too. :)
The bugs have fallen for you Joan. You have become their official internet spokes-person. They each want their turn in the spot light. The scuttlebug is out and they will come a knocking on your door to be interviewed.
LOL!! It sure does seem like it Bernie. :) One of these mornings I am going to open my door and see them forming a line which goes right around the block. :)
Wow Joan I almost asked you on the last post, where are the bugs, lol? And here is nice one. Some amazing colors. Thanks for sharing, really enjoy your insect collection. Anna :)
LOL!! I am not finding time to go out bug hunting much nowdays Anna, so I was pleased this one landed at my feet. Besides being busy was are having a lot of rain and it is too wet for many insects to be about.
A most beautiful and fascinating bug. The underside looks like it's glowing and I like the metallic green. Wonderful how it came to you and you were camera-ready.
That is a very colorful bug..The story of the spider continues. I found a larger house spider hanging out on my nightstand two nights in a row, so I escorted him or her to the bathroom....I didn't want it to get into my CPAP sleep machine..lol..The spider gods are testing me...Michelle
LOL!! Maybe you should come and live in Pretoria then Phillip and I will share my bugs with you. I must most of ours are pretty dull and dreary too. :)
It is about and inch in body length and when it opens its wings to fly, they are a dark blue, almost black.
The underside is almost as pretty as its top side.
44 comments:
Hmmm...that beetle has pretty colours! It's just missed Christmas though, with its red and green. Lovely photos, Joan. Enjoy this gloomy weekend! :)
Here we call them "June Bugs." Some people also call them "Scarabs" too. Actually I don't know what the real name for them is right off hand without Googling them, so I am content for the present to call them June Bugs. We usually have them in great numbers here during the summer but for the last two years in my area, the populations of them have declined.
What a beautiful creature!! I wish the june bugs were that colour here, maybe I wouldn't be so freaked out by them LOL. You know what Joan? I think this summer I'll try to be brave, pick one up in my hands and take a picture. I'll TRY! Lol.
Amazing pictures, I really like the first one with the dropplet on its back :)
A "Joan Bug". LOL! Beautiful colors and great closeups :)
Wonderful!
I don't say more.
Wow! Such gorgeous colours! Are they poisonous to birds, or just pretending to be? :o)
Hope you're having a wonderful day, Joan!
Wow, those colors and markings are amazing. I'd like to have a paint job like that on my truck. Nature sure gives its best to you and us Joan.
What a beauty! It looks like it's back coat is "ripening" with those colors. I wonder what they taste like. (just kidding)
Beautiful bug Joan!
Love those colors...
still your biggest fan,
Craig
When I saw the first picture I thought we'd be playing the guessing game again...
What cool colors, and you have gotten some amazing shots Joan.
B.
Hello Sreddy. We sure have been having enough rain but I am hoping to get out a bit on Sunday to go bug hunting.
Hello Ken. They are of the scarab family so they are not wrong. There are a couple of bugs which look very similar to this one so I have to be careful when identifying it. All your rain might be a contributing factor as to their scarcity. With all this rain we are having, there is not much about either.
Hello Leeloo. I am am willing to bet you will not have a problem picking one up. :) I have confidence that you can do it. They are pretty harmless. :)
LOL! I like that Lawrence. :)
Thanks Andrea. :)
No they are not poisonous Penny but being so large, a lot of birds will have a problem swallowing them. Have a grea weekend and I am counting the days too. :)
LOL!! That would be a good looking truck Gaelyn. :)
LOL!! I will send you one to try Craver then you can tell me too. :)
Thanks my biggest fan. :)
It would have been a good one for MM Becky and I did think of doing it. :)
Great..pics....really like it...
Thanks NPT. :)
Tis a bug most beautiful, Joan.
Thanks Marvin. I have to agree with you. :)
The bugs have fallen for you Joan. You have become their official internet spokes-person. They each want their turn in the spot light. The scuttlebug is out and they will come a knocking on your door to be interviewed.
LOL!! It sure does seem like it Bernie. :) One of these mornings I am going to open my door and see them forming a line which goes right around the block. :)
Stunning bug.
What a beautiful little creature! Never seen anything like that, never!
Päivi
It really does have beautiful colors!
Wow Joan I almost asked you on the last post, where are the bugs, lol? And here is nice one. Some amazing colors. Thanks for sharing, really enjoy your insect collection. Anna :)
Thanks Jonker. :)
Thanks Päivi. The colors in this bug is exceptional and I was so pleased I was able to capture its beauty.
Thanks Mary. :)
LOL!! I am not finding time to go out bug hunting much nowdays Anna, so I was pleased this one landed at my feet. Besides being busy was are having a lot of rain and it is too wet for many insects to be about.
A most beautiful and fascinating bug. The underside looks like it's glowing and I like the metallic green. Wonderful how it came to you and you were camera-ready.
Joan: What a great looking bug, great macros.
That is a very colorful bug..The story of the spider continues. I found a larger house spider hanging out on my nightstand two nights in a row, so I escorted him or her to the bathroom....I didn't want it to get into my CPAP sleep machine..lol..The spider gods are testing me...Michelle
It is amazing you keep finding all these colourful Bugs Joan nice shots BTW I just keeps finding ugly ones :)
Hello Diane. I never go anywhere without having my small camera with me. :)
Thanks Tom. :)
It seems like it Michelle and you are passing your tests with flying colors. I am very, very proud of you my friend!! Hugs.
LOL!! Maybe you should come and live in Pretoria then Phillip and I will share my bugs with you. I must most of ours are pretty dull and dreary too. :)
This is GORGEOUS!!!
A great find. I loved the colours. Thanks Jose.
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