Sun beetle (Pachnoda marginata)

Short answers

Sun beetle: How big does the enclosure need to be?

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

Sun beetle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Sun beetle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Sun beetle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: beetle approx. 2–6 months; the egg-to-beetle cycle takes about 5 months.

Sun beetle: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

60–70 % (substrate evenly damp, never drying out)

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

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

Substrate

Loose humus-rich soil without fertiliser plus pine bark and white-rotted deciduous wood, about 10 cm deep, permanently slightly damp; lay leaf litter on top

Feeding

Food

Beetles: overripe fruit (banana, mango, pear), beetle jelly (no citrus); larvae: they eat the white-rotted wood mixed into the substrate

Feeding interval

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

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 2.0–2.5 cm

Life expectancy

beetle approx. 2–6 months; the egg-to-beetle cycle takes about 5 months

Origin

Central and West Africa (Congo, Cameroon, Kenya, Sudan and others)

Protection status

No CITES, no special protection; no registration duty

Brumation

None (they breed continuously)

Cohabitation

Group and colony housing are explicitly possible and common in this species – several beetles and larvae live together without issue given enough space, food and substrate. A classic beginner group species.

Notes

Very easy to care for, ideal for beginners and for feeder or gut-loading cultures. A common mistake is substrate that is too dry. Diurnal and fond of flying – a lid is needed.

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Related species

• Garden fruit chafer (Pachnoda sinuata) – Beginner
• Actaeon beetle (Megasoma actaeon) – Intermediate
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• 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 Sun beetle (Pachnoda marginata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from approx. 30×20×20 cm for a small group (a plastic box or aquarium with a lid)), substrate (Loose humus-rich soil without fertiliser plus pine bark and white-rotted deciduous wood, about 10 cm deep, permanently slightly damp; lay leaf litter on top), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.