About Chondropyga dorsalis (Donovan, 1805)
Chondropyga dorsalis, commonly known as the cowboy beetle, reaches a length of 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in), with females typically being slightly larger than males. The species has a yellow-brown coloration. When it flies, it produces a loud buzzing noise that creates the illusion it is a large wasp; it also produces this buzzing when it feels threatened.
This beetle is found in south-eastern Australia, occurring throughout Victoria, New South Wales, and in part of Queensland. It inhabits woodlands, dry sclerophyll forests, and residential gardens. Adult cowboy beetles feed on nectar, while larvae develop in rotten wood.
For its life cycle, eggs are laid in damp locations in or around rotting logs. After hatching, larvae feed on the rotting timber until they are ready to pupate. They build their pupal cases from mud and rotting debris. Adults emerge in summer, and feed on nectar from shrubs and trees.
