Protaetia cuprea, also known as the copper chafer, is a species of chafer in the family Scarabaeidae. This species is also known as the rose chafer and has a wide geographic distribution, extending from Canary Islands, Portugal, and Spain to the west towards Vladivostok in the Russian Far East, Mongolia, and North China. This species forages for pollen from flowers and fruits, such as apples, from trees. However, since fruit is scarce in the spring and winter, they only transition from a diet of pollen to a diet of fruits in the summer. Since pollen is richer in proteins and lipids than carbohydrates, while fruit is richer in carbohydrates, they are able to travel longer when on a fruit diet; this is due to their increased aerobic performance when fueled by high-carbohydrate content.
This beetle is well-known for its flight ability, a skill that supports its foraging behavior. It has swift maneuvering ability and strong precision when landing on flowers and plants; it is able to do this due to the elasticity and mechanisms this beetle's wings possess.
The beetle species P. cuprea has an extensive geographic distribution across various regions, showcasing its adaptability and diverse habitat preferences. P. cuprea is found all over Europe and Asia. From the Canary Islands, Portugal, and Spain, the beetle's range extends eastward to Vladivostok in the Russian Far East and further encompasses Mongolia and North China. Its presence in the Middle East is notable, with populations in Turkey, the Levant, northern Egypt, and Iran. Further, the species is also documented in South Asia, specifically in Pakistan and Nepal.
The diversity of subspecies within P. cuprea highlights its evolutionary complexity and geographical spread. The subspecies Protaetia cuprea obscura is notably absent in Germany but is found across Central and Eastern Europe, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria (lowlands), Hungary, Italy (near Venezia), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece. This subspecies is known to hybridize with P. cuprea metallica in Slovakia and Romania, indicating a rich interspecies interaction. The distribution of P. cuprea bourgini, as well as closely related P. cuprea brancoi, in Spain, separated by the natural barrier of the Pyrenees Mountains, showcases the influence of geographic features on species distribution.
The ecological adaptability of Protaetia cuprea is as remarkable as its geographical spread. This species thrives across various environments, from dense forests to the more open and arid steppe regions, indicating its broad ecological tolerance. Such adaptability extends to a wide altitude range, with P. cuprea populations established from sea-level shorelines to the more challenging conditions at elevations up to 2000 meters. This altitude range encompasses various environmental conditions, highlighting the species' capacity to adapt and thrive in varying climatic and geographical landscapes.
Research indicates that P. cuprea primarily feeds on decaying organic matter, such as fruits, flowers, and plant debris. Studies investigating the feeding habits of larvae revealed that they predominantly consume rotting wood and plant material. Additionally, adult beetles are known to feed on ripe fruits and sap exudates from damaged trees.
Furthermore, P. cuprea has been observed to exhibit opportunistic feeding behavior, consuming a wide range of organic materials depending on its availability in their habitat. This adaptability in food preference suggests a generalist feeding strategy, which may contribute to its ecological success in diverse habitats.
Parental care primarily concerns the provisioning and protection of offspring during the larval stage. Female P. cuprea lay their eggs in decaying organic substances, such as compost, dung, or decaying wood which is an ideal environment that influences survival and development of larvae. Upon hatching, female beetles demonstrate maternal care by actively tending to the larvae, ensuring they have access to suitable food resources and protection from predators, parasites, and environmental stressors.
The life cycle of Protaetia cuprea is typically one year. However, under certain conditions, this beetle can develop more rapidly, growing into adults within the same year the eggs were laid by the parental generation.
