Noble chafer  (Gnorimus nobilis)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Range

This species is widely distributed throughout Europe as far north as southern Scandinavia, although it appears to be declining over much of its European range. In Britain it has been rare for over a century and has declined in range in recent years. At present, it is recorded from the edge of the New Forest in Hampshire, from orchards in various parts of Worcestershire, and from Oxfordshire.

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Habitat

The noble chafer is a species associated with dead wood. Where it occurs in Europe, it is a beetle of open, deciduous woods and forests. In the UK, however, the most numerous populations are found around old fruit orchards. During the day, the adult beetles are often found feeding on nectar and pollen on flower heads, especially umbellifers.

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