Garden fruit chafer (Pachnoda sinuata)

Short answers

Garden fruit chafer: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From approx. 30×20×20 cm for a small group (a plastic box with a lid).

Garden fruit chafer: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–25 °C, at night 18–22 °C.

Garden fruit chafer: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Garden fruit chafer: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: beetle approx. 2–5 months; the whole cycle takes a few months.

Garden fruit chafer: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–25 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

60–70 % (floor substrate damp, approx. 22–24 °C in the substrate)

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

from approx. 30×20×20 cm for a small group (a plastic box with a lid)

Substrate

Deep humus-rich substrate or flake soil with white-rotted deciduous wood; permanently slightly damp; the substrate is both food and habitat for the larvae

Feeding

Food

Beetles: ripe sweet fruit, beetle jelly, honey water, Gammarus; larvae: flake soil or a humus-wood substrate

Feeding interval

beetles: fruit or jelly 2–3×/week; the larvae feed continuously from the substrate

Key facts

Adult size

up to approx. 2.4 cm

Life expectancy

beetle approx. 2–5 months; the whole cycle takes a few months

Origin

Southern Africa (the South African fruit or garden chafer)

Protection status

No CITES, no special protection; no registration duty

Brumation

None (kept at an even temperature)

Cohabitation

Group housing works well – beetles and larvae live together without issue given enough space, food and substrate. An easy-care group/rose-chafer species.

Notes

Easy to keep and reliable to breed, and good for beginners. A common mistake is substrate that is too dry or too shallow. Diurnal and able to fly – a lid is needed.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Garden fruit chafer (Pachnoda sinuata) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Sun beetle (Pachnoda marginata) – Beginner
• Actaeon beetle (Megasoma actaeon) – Intermediate
• Atlas beetle (Chalcosoma atlas) – Intermediate
• Elephant beetle (Megasoma elephas) – Intermediate
• European rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes nasicornis) – Intermediate
• Goliath beetle (Goliathus goliatus) – Expert
• Grall's flower beetle (Eudicella gralli) – Beginner
• Hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Garden fruit chafer (Pachnoda sinuata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from approx. 30×20×20 cm for a small group (a plastic box with a lid)), substrate (Deep humus-rich substrate or flake soil with white-rotted deciduous wood; permanently slightly damp; the substrate is both food and habitat for the larvae), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.