Protaetia lugubris

This species is included in the Lithuanian Red Data Book, protection status category -  near threathened (NT B2)

The beetle is medium-sized 19-25 mm and has a massive body. The upper part of the body has a bronze color on the head, the back and the wings, and the wings are mottled with small, irregular spots. The lower half of the body is brownish brown, metallic shiny, the belly segments have elongated, light spots on the sides, the paws green. It is a species of deciduous and mixed forests, beetles can also live in old urban greenery: parks, squares.

The larvae are evolving in the rotting wood of old deciduous trees - maples, oaks and lindens. The duration of larvae evolving is two years. The larvae in the puppet turn into a special cocoon, in the underground groves or between the roots of the trees. Adult beetles fly on warm sunny days in June-July. Marble beetles are found on a variety of plants, usually on thorns and celery flowers or on tree trunks near leaky sap.

The biggest threats are the removal of mature, dehydrated deciduous trees and the destruction of old gardens and parks. In the habitats of beetles it is necessary to preserve old, damp deciduous trees - oaks, maples, lindens.

Lithuanian Red Data Book, 2021