Other Common Names
Blue Emerald Euphoria for Euphoria fulgida fuscocyanea
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Four recognized subspecies
Euphoria fulgida fulgida (Fabricius, 1775) (Cetonia)
=Euphoria turchesinus Voet, 1778
Euphoria fulgida fuscocyanea Casey, 1915
Euphoria fulgida limbalis Fall, 1905
Euphoria fulgida holochloris Fall, 1905
Explanation of Names
Specific name "fulgida" is Latin, meaning, apparently, "gem-like", or perhaps literally "struck by lightning." (Latin Dictionary)
Numbers
There are approximately 73 species of Euphoria and about 20 species in the U.S.
(1)Identification
Like a small Green June Beetle,
Cotinis nitida (see
guide), but more shiny, prominent brown margins. Note how the scutellum is covered by a pronotal projection in
Cotinis nitida (left), but is uncovered in
Euphoria fulgida (right):
Range
Northeastern United States, south to South Carolina, west to Nebraska, Texas, Arizona
Habitat
Fields with flowers, woodlands(?)
Season
April-July in South Carolina, May-July in Minnesota, reported May-June in North Carolina by Brimley.
(2)Food
Adults take nectar and/or pollen. May prefer Plum, Prunus and Shadbush, Amelanchier blooms. These are both white, spring shrubs.
Life Cycle
As for other
Euphoria, presumably. Larvae are presumed to live in decaying matter. Blatchley, p. 998
(3), (
direct link), says:
Throughout the State (Indiana); frequent. May 10-September 29. Usually pupates beneath logs in damp places; common in June in the washup along the shore of Lake Michigan. Occurs also on flowers.
Remarks
The resemblance to Cotinis nitida is so close, one wonders if there is mimicry involved. Perhaps Cotinis nitida has chemical defenses?
Print References
Dillon, p. 552, plate LIV #4
(4)
Harpootlian, p. 117, fig. 232
(5)
Salsbury, p. 186--photo
(6)
Marshall, photo 309.9
(7)
