Anomala vitis Insect Coleopter Scarab Beetle Shining Leaf Chafers

Anomala vitis cupreonitens cm 1.2-1.6 Shining Leaf Chafers Scarab Beetle.
Common name: The Vine Chafer.
Syn. Anomala variabilis, Melolontha holosericea.

Anomala vitis (Fabricius, 1775) is a Scarab beetle belonging to the Scarabaeidae family (Rutelinae subfamily).
The adults of this species are usually bright green in color (less metallic and more translucent than that of the Cetoniinae), although it can vary considerably between one specimen and another. A. vitis is medium sized, ranging between 14 and 18 mm in length. This species is not characterized by great sexual dimorphism, if not for the very small tufts on the ends of the males' antennae.
The larvae are "C" shaped and white in color and feed on the roots of herbaceous plants.
A. vitis feeds on a wide variety of trees, including vines. Its distribution is not determined by the presence or absence of coastal environments, as in the case of other species of the Anomala genus and it is active throughout the season, flying during daylight hours.
A. vitis can cause serious damage to vine fields in case of overpopulation. The damage is caused by adults who feed on the interveinal part of the leaves. However, the infestation can be prevented by the presence of woods or trees near the vineyard.
A. vitis is widespread in Switzerland, the Balkan Peninsula, Austria, Hungary, extending eastwards to Romania. In Italy it is present in the central-northern region up to Campania.