Pachnoda marginata, better known as the Sun Beetle or Congo Sun Beetle, is a brightly coloured scarab native to West and Central Africa. In the wild, it thrives in tropical forests and savannas, feeding on fallen fruit and decaying plant matter. As a natural decomposer, it plays an important ecological role by recycling nutrients back into the soil, helping to sustain healthy ecosystems. Its bold yellow-and-black patterning makes it one of the most eye-catching members of the rose chafer group (Cetoniinae).
 
In captivity, Pachnoda marginata is one of the most popular beetles kept by hobbyists worldwide. Hardy and easy to breed, it has a short development cycle and feeds readily on soft fruits such as banana, apple, and orange. Larvae thrive in a substrate of decaying leaf litter and rotting wood, while adults are active and long-lived compared to many beetles. This combination of bright colours, simple care, and lively behaviour makes them ideal for display and education.
 
One of the most appealing aspects of Pachnoda marginata is its colour variation across subspecies and individuals. The commonly kept P. marginata peregrina shows vivid yellow elytra with bold black patches, while P. marginata marginata tends toward darker olive or brown tones with subtler markings. Other regional forms display orange or golden hues, and even within a single clutch, beetles may differ in the size and shape of their black markings. This natural diversity means colonies often present a mosaic of colours, adding visual interest to enclosures and making them especially attractive to keepers.