Brown flower beetle

Description:

Glycyphana stolataOur garden is being visited by the beetles. As they fly they look so big and have a large buzzing sound.Resting on a grasstree frond.Photo: JeanIt is a brown flower beetle, Glycyphana stolata (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). The species was introduced from Eastern Australia about 15-20 years ago, most likely in potting mix. Adults are increasingly common on flowering plants including fruit trees, introduced ornamental plants and also on native trees and shrubs. Larvae are very common in soils rich in organic material feeding on decomposing plant material, sometimes building up very high numbers (over 15-20 grubs in a 20 cm diameter pot). At this stage it is not a pest of economic significance. Andras Szito Ag Dept 2019