Jewel beetle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 Emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis
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About 450 genera; see text. |
The jewel beetles or metallic wood-boring beetles are a family (Buprestidae) of beetles known for their glossy iridescent colors. The family is among the largest of the beetles, with some 15,000 species known in 450 genera. The larger and more spectacularly colored jewel beetles are highly prized by insect collectors.
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 irridiscence common to these beetles is not due to pigments in the exoskeleton, but instead physical irridescence 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 bore through roots, logs, stems, and leaves of various types of plants, ranging from trees to grasses. 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.
Classification is not yet well-established, although there appear to be five main lineages, which may be considered subfamilies, possibly with one or two being raised to families in their own right, while other systems define up to 14 subfamilies. The following subfamilies are generally agreed upon:
- Agrilinae
- Buprestinae
- Calodema Found only in Australia and New Guinea. Usually found in rain forests.
- Castiarina Found only in Australia and New Guinea. About 500 species. Previously considered a sub-genera of Stigmodera.
- Julodinae
- Metaxymorpha Found only in Australia and New Guinea. Usually found in rain forests.
- Polycestinae
- Stigmodera 7 known species.
- Temognatha Found only in Australia and New Guinea. About 83-85 species. Previously considered a sub-genera of Stigmodera.
[edit] Example species
 A buprestid from India |
 Another buprestid from Pune-India |
 Temognatha attenuata. Cooktown, Australia. 2.6cm long. |
 Lampropepla rotschildi is a buprestid from Madagascar. |
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 buprestid from Mulshi,Pune-India |
[edit] Reference
- C. L. Bellamy and G. H. Nelson, "Buprestidae", in Ross H. Arnett, Jr. and Michael C. Thomas, American Beetles (CRC Press, 2002), vol. 2
