A very large dark-grey chafer with small white spots on the pronotum and elytra. It is related to the metallic-green Northern Rose Chafer (P. metallica) and like that species has a large projection on each side of the body that is exerted when it is handled.
Adults can be observed on flowers such as thistles and ragworts and also visit ripe fruit. Within the British Isles it is only known from the Channel Islands.
This species is sometimes referred to as Netocia morio (others treat Netocia as a subgenus of Protaetia).
The Speckled rose chafer ( Oxythyrea funesta ) is generally considered not dangerous to humans or pets. However, they can be a nuisance in gardens, especially to certain plants, and the larvae are considered a pest to some extent.
They are not known to transmit diseases.
The larvae, also known as grubs, feed on decaying plant matter and may damage some plants if they are in large numbers.
The adult beetles can damage plants by feeding on flowers, buds, and leaves, particularly of certain plants like roses and peonies.
