Subfamily Cetoniinae - Fruit and Flower Chafers

Flower Beetles

Author is Leach, 1815, the subfamily named for Old World genus Cetonia (e.g., Cetonia aurata). Origin of name is obscure--The Century Dictionary (1) does not list an etymology. One Internet source says that ceton is Gaulish for woods, forest. Ceton (or Seton) is a surname as well, so perhaps this is an eponym. Or perhaps there is a connection with Latinized Greek cetus, whale. (Editorial note: OED needs to be checked.)

Characteristics (2), (3), (Generic Guide to New World Scarabs--key)

Many found on flowers, where feed on pollen.

Larvae feed on roots, organic material in soil, or decaying wood in trees. Some are associated with ant nests (myrmecophiles), and adults may be found there as well.