This widespread insect in Europe is often mistaken for the May bug. What caused this error is difficult to say. Golden bronze and gherkins (which include the May bug) belong to the same family, have a similar structure and lead about the same way of life, however, it is quite easy to distinguish one insect from another. Khrushchev look more “modest", as it does not have a bright metallic luster inherent in bronzes. The color of the elytra is brown or reddish-brown, with whitish specks. The May bug is more than bronze, its length reaches 3 cm. In addition, its body is more elongated and richly covered with hairs (except for elytra). Unlike bronze, the May bug is recognized as an agricultural pest.
Golden bronze: classification and habitat
Bronzes belong to the family Lamellar-like (Scarab-like) and the order Cetonea ("metal" beetles). Their closest relatives are Khrushchev, scarabs, copra, rhinoceros beetles and deer beetles. The largest representative of the family is the goliath beetle, whose weight is about 100 g. The common bronze along with copper is one of the most numerous species. It is found in all regions of Europe (except for some areas 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, beautiful and smooth) are listed in the Red Book, but extinction is not yet threatened by the golden bronze.
Even in regions with an unfavorable environmental situation, the population of common bronzia is not declining.
Her exotic relatives prefer a tropical climate. Especially a lot of them in India and Africa.
What does a bronze gold look like?
The body length of this beetle is from one and a half to two centimeters, its width is up to 1.4 cm. From the bottom it has a golden-bronze, brownish color. For elytra, numerous options are possible - from the most common emerald green to reddish, purple, bright blue or even black. The main distinguishing feature of the golden bronze is a bright metallic (mainly copper) shine. Elytra decorated with several bright transverse stripes. Compared to the May beetle, bronze looks smoother and less “woolly”. Another interesting feature is manifested in its movement: this bug does not raise elytra. To take off, it grows wings, folded in half, through special side slots. This trick improves the aerodynamic characteristics of the insect, so that its flight becomes more maneuverable. As you can see for yourself, the picture below shows a characteristic colored golden bronze (photo in flight).
Developmental stages
Bronzovka, like all insects, undergoes several metamorphoses throughout its life: a larva develops from an egg, a chrysalis from a larva, and an adult 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 after some time they die. After a few weeks, the larvae hatch. They are thick, white or gray, reach 6 cm in length. Larvae actively feed on cellulose and organic matter (weed roots, rotting plant remains, bark, hay, manure, mushrooms), and overcooked soil enriches the soil. Due to the voracity of the larvae, this process is very fast. Live cultivated plants golden bronze (being in the larval stage) does not touch.
Larvae hibernate, buried in the ground. Next summer they turn into pupae. For this, the larvae with the help of short legs form a cocoon around them from the adhesive secreted by them. At the end of summer, an adult beetle leaves the cocoon. Males differ from females only in size: they are larger; in general, sexual dimorphism in bronzia is not developed. Beetle activity lasts from late spring to mid summer.
Lifestyle
Insect bronzovka lives in forests, gardens, parks, meadows and vegetable gardens. Females lay eggs in compost and dung heaps, rotten stumps, in the hollows of dead trees. In about the same places, both larvae and adult individuals winter. It is important to note that bronzes prefer hardwood; rotten spruce and pine trees do not attract them.
It is believed that the bronze arms have not so many natural enemies. On the larvae, wasps of scoliosis and typhus, as well as a tahin fly, parasitize. Adult beetles become prey for birds. As a rule, animals do not eat bronzes, as these insects produce a special toxin that can become fatal for a small predator.
Beetles are active in the daytime, especially if the weather is dry and sunny.
Nutrition
Bronze larvae are beneficial: by utilizing rotting wood, weed roots and organic remains, they contribute to the formation of a fertile soil layer, which positively affects the state of the latter.
But the oral apparatus of adult beetles is not adapted to absorb roughage. Golden bronze, whose photo is located below, feeds on plant flowers (stamens, pestles and ovaries).
Also, young leaves and fruits suffer from bronzes. Do not disdain beetles and tree sap. Unfortunately, bronzers love ornamental plants: roses (because of this they are even called “pink bugs”), peonies, raspberries, grapes, strawberries, as well as flowers of fruit trees (cherries, apple trees). Any field, meadow or ornamental plants with sweet juice are of interest to them.
Gardeners do not like bronzes for ugly eaten flowers and "skeletonized" leaves.
Bronze in the garden
However, the golden bronze is not recognized as a harmful insect. Its larvae are uniquely useful, the pupae are harmless, and the damage from adult beetles is negligible. Experts say that bronzes do not affect the yield of fruit trees. In addition, unlike larvae, adult beetles are not gluttonous and can not do much harm. Therefore, the fight against bronzes (by manual collection or using chemicals) in most cases does not make sense.