
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Eudicella smithii
An east and southern African flower beetle whose jade-green head and thorax contrast with brown elytra. Males carry a reddish, Y-shaped horn. It breeds readily and is treated as an entry-level species.
Eudicella smithi is a widespread Afrotropical flower beetle. It measures 20-40 mm and its range includes South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Malawi, and GBIF records agree, with South Africa (56), the DRC (27) and Rwanda (27) leading. The jade-green metallic sheen of the head and pronotum set against brown elytra is what the beetle is known for, and the English name jade-headed buffalo beetle comes from it. Males carry the forked, Y-shaped horn common to the genus, and the shape of the fork is one of the characters used to tell the species apart. Ben's Beetle Breeding Pages rates Eudicella an easy entry-level genus in which laying through to pupation can all take place in one mix of rotten wood and leaves.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Smith's Flower Beetle lives Adults 3-5 months.
The Smith's Flower Beetle grows to 20-40mm.
Origin
East and southern Africa (South Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Malawi, Burundi and neighbouring countries)
Lifespan
Adults 3-5 months
Size
20-40mm
Temperature
20〜28℃
Sources: Eudicella smithii - Wikipedia (ES; 20-40 mm, Afrotropical range countries) / Eudicella tetraspilota - Wikipedia (DE; 25-40 mm, 50-70 eggs, larvae 5-6 months at 25-27C, adults about 3 months, the De Palma 2009 revision) / Ben's Beetle Breeding Pages - Eudicella smithi bertherandi (East Africa, very easy to breed, rotten wood and leaf substrate) / GBIF occurrence records for Eudicella smithii (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: Eudicella smithii (MacLeay, 1838)
Synonyms: Eudicella smithii (MacLeay, 1838), Eudicella smithi
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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Humidity
60〜80%
Adults take fruit and beetle jelly; larvae feed on rotten wood and leaf litter
It ranges widely through the tropics and subtropics, and the basic rule is to keep the substrate from drying out completely.
Eggs are laid into a mix of rotten wood and leaves. The larvae show little cannibalism and pupate in the same substrate, so a laying set can be left intact and the brood raised in it. The size of the male horn is said to reflect how well the larvae were kept and fed.
Larvae can be kept together, though individual containers give steadier results if large adults are the aim. Adult males fight with their horns, so keep them apart except for pairing.
Records under this name are limited, so use as a guide the 5-6 months of larval life and about three months as an adult given by treatments that follow De Palma in placing this beetle in Eudicella tetraspilota.
The taxonomy has been unsettled and different populations have circulated under the same name smithi. Do not cross beetles that carry no locality data. Importing live stock requires the species identification certificate demanded for Scarabaeoidea.
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 average lifespan of Smith's Flower Beetle is Adults 3-5 months. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Smith's Flower Beetle typically reaches 20-40mm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Smith's Flower Beetle feeds on: Adults take fruit and beetle jelly; larvae feed on rotten wood and leaf litter. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Smith'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