Common Pollen Beetle vs Bee Chafer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Pollen Beetle Bee Chafer
Scientific Name Brassicogethes aeneus Trichius rosaceus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Nitidulidae Scarabaeidae
Size 2-3 mm 9-13mm
Habitat Farmland Gardens
Diet Pollen Feeders Pollen Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia, North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Common Pollen Beetle

A tiny iridescent green-black beetle that congregates in yellow flowers to feed on pollen. It is a major pest of oilseed rape crops.

💡

Did You Know?

On warm days they can be so numerous on yellow flowers that a single buttercup may contain a dozen individuals.

Bee Chafer

A furry bumblebee-mimicking flower beetle with yellow and black bands. Visits roses and other garden flowers.

💡

Did You Know?

So convincingly mimics a bumblebee that many people refuse to pick it up, believing it will sting.