About Tropinota hirta (Poda, 1761)
Tropinota hirta, commonly called the apple blossom beetle or hairy rose beetle, is a species of scarab beetle belonging to the Scarabaeidae family. It is native to the Old World, and does not occur in North or South America. This polyphagous rose chafer is commonly found on flowering plants starting in April, and it feeds on the plant parts. It causes serious damage to both cultivated crops and ornamental flowers. The larvae of Tropinota hirta develop in soil, where they feed on roots — most often dead roots — and do not cause significant damage to plants. The species' native distribution includes Europe, northern Asia, and the Mediterranean basin. It has not been recorded in North or South America.
