Julodimorpha

Julodimorpha
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Buprestoidea
Family: Buprestidae
Genus: Julodimorpha
Gemminger & Harold, 1869

Julodimorpha is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:[1]

Species

Observations on mating behaviour

In 1983, entomologists Darryl Gwynne and David Rentz reported on male Julodimorpha saundersii (confused at that time with the closely related J. bakewelli[2]) observed attempting to copulate with discarded brown stubbies (a type of beer bottles) studded with tubercules (bobbly bits).[3] This work won them the 2011 Ig Nobel Prize in biology.[4]

References

  1. ^ Bellamy, C. L. (2010). "Genus Julodimorpha". A Checklist of World Buprestoidea. http://www.fond4beetles.com/Buprestidae/WorldCat/Genera/Julodimorpha.htm. Retrieved 16 Jun 2011. 
  2. ^ Bellamy, C.L. & T. Weir. 2008. The reinstatement of Julodimorpha saundersii Thomson 1879 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) as a valid species. Zootaxa 1751: 46–54.
  3. ^ D. T. Gwynne, D. C. F. Rentz (February 1983). "Beetles on the Bottle: Male Buprestids Mistake Stubbies for Females (Coleoptera)". Australian Journal of Entomology (1): 79–80. doi:10.1111/j.1440-6055.1983.tb01846.x. 
  4. ^ Jonathan Amos (September 30, 2011). "Beetle's beer bottle sex wins Ig Nobel Prize". BBC News. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/science-environment-15117051. Retrieved September 30, 2011.