Jewel beetle
Encyclopedia
Buprestidae is a family
of beetle
s, known as jewel beetles or metallic wood-boring beetles because of their glossy iridescent
colors. The family is among the largest of the beetles, with some 15,000 species
known in 450 genera
. In addition, almost 100 fossil species have been described.
The larger and more spectacularly colored jewel beetles are highly prized by insect collectors. The elytrae of some Buprestidae species have been traditionally used in beetlewing
jewellery and decoration in certain countries in Asia, like India
, Thailand
and Japan
.
common to these beetles is not due to pigments in the exoskeleton
, but instead physical iridescence in which microscopic texture in their cuticle selectively reflects specific frequencies of light in particular directions. This is the same effect that makes a compact disc
reflect multiple colors.
The larva
e bore through roots, logs, stems, and leaves of various types of plants, ranging from tree
s to grass
es. The wood boring types generally favor dying or dead branches on otherwise-healthy trees, while a few types attack green wood; some of these are serious pests capable of killing trees and causing major economic damage. Some species are attracted to recently-burned forests to lay their eggs. They can sense pine
wood smoke from up to 50 miles away, and can see infrared
light, helping them to zero in as they get closer to a forest fire. They will bite if they feel threatened, and can aggregate to swarms of biting beetles in recently burned areas.
The commonly-accepted subfamilies, with some representative genera and species, are:
Agrilinae
– cosmopolitan, with most taxa occurring in the Northern Hemisphere
Buprestinae
– cosmopolitan
Chrysochroinae
Galbellinae
Julodinae
Polycestinae
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
of beetle
Beetle
Coleoptera is an order of insects commonly called beetles. The word "coleoptera" is from the Greek , koleos, "sheath"; and , pteron, "wing", thus "sheathed wing". Coleoptera contains more species than any other order, constituting almost 25% of all known life-forms...
s, known as jewel beetles or metallic wood-boring beetles because of their glossy iridescent
Iridescence
Iridescence is generally known as the property of certain surfaces which appear to change color as the angle of view or the angle of illumination changes...
colors. The family is among the largest of the beetles, with some 15,000 species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
known in 450 genera
Genera
Genera is a commercial operating system and development environment for Lisp machines developed by Symbolics. It is essentially a fork of an earlier operating system originating on the MIT AI Lab's Lisp machines which Symbolics had used in common with LMI and Texas Instruments...
. In addition, almost 100 fossil species have been described.
The larger and more spectacularly colored jewel beetles are highly prized by insect collectors. The elytrae of some Buprestidae species have been traditionally used in beetlewing
Beetlewing
Beetlewing, or beetlewing art, is an ancient craft technique using iridescent beetle wings practiced traditionally in Thailand, Myanmar, India, China and Japan.-Tradition:...
jewellery and decoration in certain countries in Asia, like India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Description and ecology
Shape is generally cylindrical or elongate to ovoid, with lengths ranging from 3 mm to an impressive 100 mm, although most species are under 20 mm. A variety of bright colors are known, often in complicated patterns. The iridescenceIridescence
Iridescence is generally known as the property of certain surfaces which appear to change color as the angle of view or the angle of illumination changes...
common to these beetles is not due to pigments in the exoskeleton
Exoskeleton
An exoskeleton is the external skeleton that supports and protects an animal's body, in contrast to the internal skeleton of, for example, a human. In popular usage, some of the larger kinds of exoskeletons are known as "shells". Examples of exoskeleton animals include insects such as grasshoppers...
, but instead physical iridescence in which microscopic texture in their cuticle selectively reflects specific frequencies of light in particular directions. This is the same effect that makes a compact disc
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
reflect multiple colors.
The larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
e bore through roots, logs, stems, and leaves of various types of plants, ranging from tree
Tree
A tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
s to grass
Grass
Grasses, or more technically graminoids, are monocotyledonous, usually herbaceous plants with narrow leaves growing from the base. They include the "true grasses", of the Poaceae family, as well as the sedges and the rushes . The true grasses include cereals, bamboo and the grasses of lawns ...
es. The wood boring types generally favor dying or dead branches on otherwise-healthy trees, while a few types attack green wood; some of these are serious pests capable of killing trees and causing major economic damage. Some species are attracted to recently-burned forests to lay their eggs. They can sense pine
Pine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
wood smoke from up to 50 miles away, and can see infrared
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
light, helping them to zero in as they get closer to a forest fire. They will bite if they feel threatened, and can aggregate to swarms of biting beetles in recently burned areas.
Systematics
Jewel beetle classification is not yet robustly established, although there appear to be five or six main lineages, which may be considered subfamilies, possibly with one or two being raised to families in their own right. Some other systems define up to 14 subfamilies.The commonly-accepted subfamilies, with some representative genera and species, are:
Agrilinae
Agrilinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following genera:* Aaaba Bellamy, 2002* Afrocylindromorphus Bily & Bellamy, 1998* Agrilochyseus Thery, 1935* Agrilodia Obenberger, 1923...
– cosmopolitan, with most taxa occurring in the Northern Hemisphere
- AgrilusAgrilusAgrilus is a genus of jewel beetles, notable for having the largest number of species of any single genus of organism.Species:* Agrilus abantiades Descarpentries & Villiers, 1963* Agrilus abditus Horn, 1891...
- AnodontodoraAnodontodoraAnodontodora is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Anodontodora aurulans * Anodontodora capicola...
Obenberger, 1931 - AsymadesAsymadesAsymades is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Asymades boranus * Asymades transvalensis Kerremans, 1893...
Kerremans, 1893 - BrachysBrachysBrachys is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Brachys acutus Kerremans, 1903* Brachys aequinoctialis Gory, 1841* Brachys aerosus Melsheimer, 1845* Brachys aeruginosus Gory, 1841...
- ChalcophlocteisChalcophlocteisChalcophlocteis is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Chalcophlocteis dives * Chalcophlocteis hauseri Obenberger, 1931...
Obenberger, 1924 - DiscoderoidesDiscoderoidesDiscoderoides is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Discoderoides abessynicus * Discoderoides africanus * Discoderoides alluaudi...
Théry, 1936 - EntomogasterEntomogasterEntomogaster is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Entomogaster aequalipennis Obenberger, 1931* Entomogaster amplicollis Fairmaire, 1900* Entomogaster apollo Obenberger, 1946...
Saunders, 1871 - EthiopoeusEthiopoeusEthiopoeus croesus is a species of beetle in the family Buprestidae, the only species in the genus Ethiopoeus....
Bellamy, 2008 - MadecorformicaMadecorformicaMadecorformica silhouetta is a species of beetle in the family Buprestidae, the only species in the genus Madecorformica....
Bellamy, 2008 - MeliboeusMeliboeusMeliboeus is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Meliboeus abessinicus Obenberger, 1919* Meliboeus abimvae Théry, 1940* Meliboeus achardi Obenberger, 1924* Meliboeus adlbaueri Niehuis, 1998...
- PachyschelusPachyschelusPachyschelus is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Pachyscelus abnitidus Kerremans, 1903* Pachyscelus acutus Kerremans, 1896* Pachyscelus aeneicollis...
- ParacylindromorphusParacylindromorphusParacylindromorphus is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Paracylindromorphus achardi * Paracylindromorphus africanus...
- ParadorellaParadorellaParadorella is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Paradorella capensis * Paradorella natalensis Bellamy, 2008* Paradorella strandi Obenberger, 1923...
Obenberger, 1923 - PseudokerremansiaPseudokerremansiaPseudokerremansia is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Pseudokerremansia arcuata * Pseudokerremansia zuluensis Bellamy, 2008...
- StrandiettaStrandiettaStrandietta is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Strandietta austroafricana Bellamy, 2008* Strandietta jakobsoni Obenberger, 1931* Strandietta maynei...
Obenberger, 1931
Buprestinae
Buprestinae
Buprestinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following genera:* Actenodes Dejean, 1833* Afagrilaxia Bily & Bellamy, 1999* Afrabothris Thery, 1936* Agaeocera Saunders, 1871* Aglaostola Saunders, 1871...
– cosmopolitan
- AgrilozodesAgrilozodesAgrilozodes is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Agrilozodes ocularis * Agrilozodes praeclarus * Agrilozodes pygmaeus...
- AnthaxiaAnthaxiaAnthaxia is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Anthaxia abdita Bílý, 1982* Anthaxia abyssinica Théry, 1896* Anthaxia acaciae Fisher, 1935* Anthaxia acutangula Motschulsky, 1861...
- BubastoidesBubastoidesBubastoides is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Bubastoides argodi Kerremans, 1909* Bubastoides kadleci Bily, 2008...
- BuprestisBuprestisBuprestis is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Buprestis adjecta * Buprestis aetnensis Baviera & Sparacio, 2002* Buprestis alemanica...
- CalodemaCalodemaCalodema is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Calodema bifasciata Neef de Sainval & Lander, 1993* Calodema blairi Neef de Sainval & Lander, 1994* Calodema hanloni Nylander, 2008...
– found only in Australia and New Guinea; usually in rain forests - CastiarinaCastiarinaCastiarina is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Castiarina abdita Barker, 1990* Castiarina abdominalis * Castiarina acuminata...
– about 500 species, found only in Australia and New Guinea, previously considered a subgenusSubgenusIn biology, a subgenus is a taxonomic rank directly below genus.In zoology, a subgeneric name can be used independently or included in a species name, in parentheses, placed between the generic name and the specific epithet: e.g. the Tiger Cowry of the Indo-Pacific, Cypraea tigris Linnaeus, which...
of Stigmodera - ChrysobothrisChrysobothrisChrysobothris is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Chrysobothris abyssinica Fairmaire, 1891* Chrysobothris acaciae Knull, 1936* Chrysobothris achardi Obenberger, 1922...
- ColobogasterColobogasterColobogaster is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Colobogaster acostae Rojas, 1856* Colobogaster amorosa Obenberger, 1952* Colobogaster anchoralis Obenberger, 1932...
- ConognathaConognathaConognatha is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Conognatha abdominalis Waterhouse, 1912* Conognatha acuminata Thomson, 1878* Conognatha amoena...
- EurythyreaEurythyreaEurythyrea is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Eurythyrea aurata * Eurythyrea austriaca * Eurythyrea bilyi Weidlich, 1987* Eurythyrea eao Semenov, 1895...
- HiperanthaHiperanthaHiperantha is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Hiperantha bella Saunders, 1869* Hiperantha boyi Thery, 1936* Hiperantha decorata * Hiperantha fontainieri Thery, 1928...
- MetaxymorphaMetaxymorphaMetaxymorpha is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Metaxymorpha alexanderiensis Nylander, 2008* Metaxymorpha apicalis * Metaxymorpha apicerubra Thery, 1923...
– found only in Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia; usually in rain forests - StigmoderaStigmoderaStigmodera is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Stigmodera cancellata * Stigmodera gratiosa Chevrolat, 1843* Stigmodera hyperboreus...
– 7 species remain here - TemognathaTemognathaTemognatha is a genus of metallic wood-boring beetles. Most of the many species are native to Australia. There are over 85 species in Australia.-Species:* Temognatha aestimata * Temognatha affinis...
– About 83-85 species, found only in Australia and New Guinea, previously considered a subgenus of Stigmodera
Chrysochroinae
Chrysochroinae
Chrysochroinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following genera:* Achardella Obenberger, 1926* Afrochroa Holynski, 2001* Afrophorella Obenberger, 1942* Agelia Laporte & Gory, 1835...
- CapnodisCapnodisCapnodis is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Capnodis anthracina * Capnodis antiqua Heer, 1847* Capnodis carbonaria...
- ChalcophoraChalcophoraChalcophora is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Chalcophora alternans * Chalcophora anachoreta Szallies, 1991* Chalcophora angulicollis...
- Chalcophora japonicaChalcophora japonicaChalcophora japonica, or ubatamamushi in Japanese , also known as the flat-headed wood-borer, is a metallic, bullet-shaped, woodboring beetle of the Buprestidae family. It is endemic to Japan.-Habitat and appearance:This insect is commonly found on the islands of Honshū, Shikoku and Kyūshū...
– Flat-headed Wood-borer, ubatamamushi (Japanese)
- Chalcophora japonica
- ChrysochroaChrysochroaChrysochroa is a genus of metallic wood-boring beetles. Most of the many species are native to Southeast Asian nations such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. However, a good number are found in India, one Chrysochroa is a genus of metallic wood-boring beetles. Most of the many species...
- ChrysodemaChrysodemaChrysodema is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Chrysodema akiyamai Holynski, 1994* Chrysodema alberti Lander, 2000* Chrysodema andamana Kerremans, 1895...
Laporte & Gory, 1835 (= Cyalithoides) - HaleciaHaleciaHalecia is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Halecia acutipennis * Halecia allecto Obenberger, 1958* Halecia angulosa...
- LampetisLampetisLampetis is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Lampetis abbreviata * Lampetis abdita * Lampetis achardi * Lampetis adonis...
Dejean, 1833 – sometimes included in the tribeTribe (biology)In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...
Psilopterini, but actually not very close to Psiloptera (tentatively placed here) - Lampropepla
- PerotisPerotis (beetle)Perotis is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Perotis aereiventris Reiche, 1861* Perotis bruckmanni Heer, 1862* Perotis chloranus * Perotis cupratus...
- PsilopteraPsilopteraPsiloptera is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Psiloptera acroptera * Psiloptera anilis Gistel, 1857* Psiloptera argyrophora...
(tentatively placed here)
Galbellinae
- GalbellaGalbellaGalbella is a subfamily of beetles in the family Buprestidae, placed in the monotypic subfamily Galbellinae. It contains the following species:* Galbella abyssinica Kerremans, 1899* Galbella acaciae Descarpentries & Mateu, 1965...
Julodinae
Julodinae
Julodinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following genera:* Aaata Semenov-Tian-Shanskij, 1906* Amblysterna Saunders, 1871* Julodella Semenov-Tian-Shanskij, 1871* Julodis Eschscholtz, 1829...
- AaataAaataAaata is a genus of beetles belonging to the Buprestidae family.-Species:There is only one species in this genus. It is found in Baluchistan and is one of the largest species of the Buprestidae family, reaching up to 7 cm in length....
- AmblysternaAmblysternaAmblysterna is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Amblysterna johnstoni Waterhouse, 1885* Amblysterna natalensis...
- JulodellaJulodellaJulodella is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Julodella abeillei * Julodella abyssinica * Julodella bicolor * Julodella brevilata...
- JulodisJulodisJulodis is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Julodis aeneipes Saunders, 1869* Julodis aequinoctialis * Julodis albomaculata * Julodis algirica Laporte, 1835...
- NeojulodisNeojulodisNeojulodis is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Neojulodis bequaerti * Neojulodis bouyeri Holm, 1986* Neojulodis clermonti...
- SternoceraSternoceraSternocera is a genus of beetles belonging to the Buprestidae family.-Characteristics:There are 26 species in this genus. Some species—S. aequisignata and S...
Polycestinae
Polycestinae
Polycestinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following genera:* Acmaeodera Eschscholtz, 1829* Acmaeoderella Cobos, 1955* Acmaeoderoides Van Dyke, 1942* Acmaeoderopsis Barr, 1974...
- AcmaeoderaAcmaeoderaAcmaeodera is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:* Acmaeodera abyssinica Kerremans, 1909* Acmaeodera acaciae Mayet, 1887* Acmaeodera acanthicola Barr, 1972* Acmaeodera actites Westcott, 2002...
External links
- Julodini
- Jewel beetle site, with extensive lists of species and many photos
- Flickr Images
- ZinRus Impressive photos.
- The World of Jewel Beetles (Buprestidae Home Page)
- Jewel beetles of Prague, with pictures
- Jewel beetles depicted on postage stamps
- Jewel beetles can hear fires, short summary of a JEB-Paper
- Bibliography
- Taiwanese Site Images Binomial Names
- Images of types at NHM(London)
- Hampshire Museum - Beetles in jewelry