
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Dicronorhina derbyana
An east and southern African flower beetle, metallic green with white stripes, the male carrying a flat T-shaped horn on the head. It breeds readily and is treated as an entry-level species among the exotic flower beetles.
Dicronorhina derbyana is a flower beetle of east and southern Africa. The English Wikipedia calls it the smallest of its genus and gives males as 40-50 mm and females as 35-38 mm. Colour varies a good deal between subspecies: layardi is metallic green with white stripes, while conradsi is maroon with a blue sheen. Males carry a flat, T-shaped horn on the head. A female lays up to about 200 eggs, the full life cycle takes 8-9 months and adults live 3-4 months. The Japanese keeper blog Takuneko reports rearing at about 26C, with losses increasing below 20C, adult life of 2-4 months and a larval period of 8-12 months. Ben's Beetle Breeding Pages rates it an easy beginners species and advises lowering the humidity during pupation.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Derby's Flower Beetle lives 2-4 months as an adult.
The Derby's Flower Beetle grows to Males 40-50mm, females 35-38mm.
The ideal temperature for the Derby's Flower Beetle is 25〜26℃.
Origin
East and southern Africa (South Africa, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Kenya)
Lifespan
2-4 months as an adult
Sources: Dicronorhina derbyana - Wikipedia (EN; size, T-shaped male horn, clutch size, 8-9 month life cycle, adult lifespan, six subspecies) / Takuneko blog - keeping Dicronorhina derbyana (about 26C, losses below 20C, adults 2-4 months, about 200 eggs, larval period 8-12 months, one larva per litre, JA) / Ben's Beetle Breeding Pages - Dicronorrhina derbyana layardi (rated a beginners species; reduce humidity at pupation) / GBIF occurrence records for Dicronorhina derbyana (counts by country)
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Primary sources
Accepted name: Dicronorhina derbyana Westwood, 1842
Synonyms: Dicronorrhina derbyana
Authority databases: GBIF
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Plant Protection Act: When importing live specimens of Scarabaeoidea (including rhinoceros beetles, stag beetles, flower beetles, etc.), a species identification certificate issued by the exporting country government agency or equivalent must be attached in accordance with the Invasive Species Act (import ports are limited to Narita, Chubu, Kansai, Fukuoka, and Kagoshima airports). This species itself is not a designated invasive species, and import is possible upon submission of the certificate.
Sources: Ministry of the Environment, Invasive Species Act: "Guidance for Those Importing Live Insects in Scarabaeoidea" / CITES Appendix (checklist.cites.org)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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Size
Males 40-50mm, females 35-38mm
Temperature
25〜26℃
Humidity
60〜80%
Adults take beetle jelly and fruit; larvae feed on fermented substrate
The Takuneko blog keeps them at about 26C, calls 25C ideal and reports that below 20C the beetles slow down and losses increase. Keep the substrate on the dry side, and reduce the humidity further during pupation, as Ben's Beetle Breeding Pages advises.
Adults start feeding about two weeks after eclosion and mature roughly a month after that. Eggs are laid in a fermented-substrate set like the one used for rhinoceros beetles, and a productive female lays around 200 eggs in her life. Larvae build a cocoon after 8-12 months and eclose about two months later.
Larvae can be kept together, though the Takuneko blog recommends one per litre of substrate. Adult males fight with their horns, so keep them apart except for pairing.
The English Wikipedia gives the full life cycle as 8-9 months and adult life as 3-4 months. The Takuneko blog reports 2-4 months for adults, so in either account the beetle lives less than a year.
A mature male gives off a peach-like scent, which serves as a sign that he is ready. Importing live stock requires the species identification certificate demanded for Scarabaeoidea. Because the subspecies differ in colour, do not cross beetles from different subspecies or localities.
Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.
The ideal temperature for Derby's Flower Beetle is 25〜26℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
The average lifespan of Derby's Flower Beetle is 2-4 months as an adult. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Derby's Flower Beetle typically reaches Males 40-50mm, females 35-38mm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Derby's Flower Beetle feeds on: Adults take beetle jelly and fruit; larvae feed on fermented substrate. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Derby's Flower Beetle varies significantly depending on bloodline, size, captive-bred generation, and sex. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 16, 2026