
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Mecynorrhina savagei
A large flower beetle from the Gulf of Guinea into Central Africa. It has a green thorax and black elytra striped with yellow, and the males carry forward-projecting horns. It is rated of middling difficulty to breed.
Mecynorhina savagei was described by Harris in 1844. It lives around the Gulf of Guinea and measures 3.5-7.5 cm, with a green thorax and black elytra striped in yellow. Taxonomically it is placed in the subgenus Chelorhinella of Mecynorhina. Beetlebreeding.ch gives the range as Zaire, now the DR Congo, and rates the species of medium difficulty. Larvae are raised on a humid substrate of rotten wood and leaves, and additives such as silkworm powder or cat food can be used to push for larger beetles, though they readily bring mites and mould. Keep the larvae slightly drier through pupation. The same site notes two snags: females lay very few eggs, and larvae sometimes die while pupating.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Savage's Flower Beetle lives Adults 4-8 months.
The Savage's Flower Beetle grows to 35-75 mm.
Origin
West and Central Africa (around the Gulf of Guinea, with records from Cameroon, Uganda, the DR Congo, the Republic of the Congo and Liberia)
Lifespan
Adults 4-8 months
Size
35-75 mm
Temperature
20〜28℃
Sources: Mecynorhina savagei - Wikipedia (FR; range around the Gulf of Guinea, 3.5-7.5 cm, green thorax and yellow-striped elytra) / Ben's Beetle Breeding Pages - Chelorrhina savagei (rated medium difficulty; humid wood-leaf substrate, losses at pupation, few eggs) / Mecynorhina - Wikipedia (EN; Mecynorrhina is an invalid misspelling under the ICZN, Chelorrhina and Megalorhina are subgenera, five-subgenus arrangement) / GBIF species page for Mecynorhina savagei (distribution and occurrence records by country) / Ben's Beetle Breeding Pages - Mecynorhina torquata poggei (congener in the same subgenus: prefers cooler temperatures, larval period 12 months to 2 years, flake soil, Gammarus and other protein additives)
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: Mecynorrhina savagei Harris, 1844
Synonyms: Mecynorhina savagei Harris, 1844, Chelorrhina savagei (Harris, 1844)
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.
Find listings for this species
Humidity
60〜80%
Fruit, tree sap and beetle jelly
Raise the larvae on a humid substrate of rotten wood and leaves, and keep them slightly drier through pupation.
It is rated of medium difficulty. Larvae grow on a wood-and-leaf substrate, and silkworm powder, cat food or the larvae of other non-carnivorous species can be added, though these readily bring mites and mould. The snags are that females lay very few eggs and that larvae sometimes die at pupation.
Males fight with their horns, so keep adults singly and put a pair together only for breeding. Larvae can be raised communally, but crowding at pupation leads to failures.
In the congener Mecynorhina torquata, larval periods of twelve months to two years have been reported.
Importing live beetles requires the species identification certificate demanded for live Scarabaeoidea. Sources disagree about its range, so choose stock with a stated locality and do not breed different localities together.
Intermediate. This is an intermediate-level species. Some prior experience and knowledge of environmental management are recommended.
The average lifespan of Savage's Flower Beetle is Adults 4-8 months. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Savage's Flower Beetle typically reaches 35-75 mm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Savage's Flower Beetle feeds on: Fruit, tree sap and beetle jelly. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Savage'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 17, 2026