Colour forms of Cetonia aurata.

[nomad]

We found a number of nice colour forms of Cetonia aurata in Corscia visiting various flowers. This Rose Chafer of the Scarabaeidae family seems to be popular with collectors on account of its often melanic colour and a number of specimens have been shown in this section.


Protaetia morio on the Col de Vizzavona Corscia 1163 - 1300 meters. 

[entomofou]

The N° 1, 2 and 3 are C. aurata pisana (the blue one is form leonii), but the last one is Protaetia (Netocia) morio. In this place, you should have seen some nice black forms of C. aurata pisana (they are always metallic, whereas P. morio is not). The col de Vizzavona is very rich in melanic forms of C. aurata pisana ...


Here, two variations of C. aurata sicula from... Sicily !


Stephane VASSEL : Italie : Gibilmanna : 00000 : 11/07/2015
Altitude : 700 m - Taille : 22 mm

[nomad]

Many thanks for the information entomofou. I especially liked the blue form leonii. We must have managed to miss the black melanic form of C. aurata pisana. I have changed the last of my posted images to Protaetia morio.

[leon]

Aug 19, 2015 4:56:40 GMT nomad said:

Many thanks for the information entomofou. I especially liked the blue form leonii. We must have managed to miss the black melanic form of C. aurata pisana. I have changed the last of my posted images to Protaetia morio.

Melanism occurs in high-density populations, so you'll find it in those areas that have lots of these jewels.

[nomad]

I believe these all might be all Cetonia aurata. I found these in a high Alpine Swiss meadow this July. There seemed to be two colour forms, one a lighter green and the other a darker bronze green.

[entomofou]

No problem for. C. aurata aurata...