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TYPICAL JEWEL BEETLES

BUPRESTIDAE: BUPRESTINAE

M

ost Buprestinae are fairly large, metallic,

bullet-shaped diurnal species that fly rapidly

in sunshine. Unlike Agrilinae, adults of several

Buprestinae genera such as the Old World Anthaxia

and the Australian Castiarina and Melobasis feed

regularly, and are often found on flowers eating

nectar and pollen. Some other genera, such as

Buprestis and Chrysobothris, are more often seen

on the wood of host trees, where they are well

camouflaged despite their shining appearance.

The antennae of all jewel beetles are short but have

powerful scent detectors, and beetles can locate

host trees from a considerable distance. Their

eyesight is also excellent, and, especially when they

are warmed by the midday sun, they are difficult to

photograph, catch, or even approach, as they take

flight at the least disturbance. Some species use

sight to detect a mate: in the large, brown Australian

Julodimorpha bakewelli, the males are attracted to

discarded beer bottles that have a dimpled pattern,

which apparently resembles a giant female beetle!

Some Buprestinae have very specific

requirements. Melanophila acuminata is completely

black, and lays its eggs in blackened pine trees that

were recently burned. They fly very high, using

special infrared sensors to detect forest fires, then

descend to oviposit in the freshly charred timber.

BUPRESTIDAE: BUPRESTINAE

subfamily

Buprestinae

known species

3,300

distribution

Worldwide, particularly in the tropics

and Australia

habitat

From dry semideserts to tropical rainforests.

Most species are associated with trees

size

5–50 mm

diet

Larvae of most species eat wood. Adults, if

they feed at all, eat nectar and pollen or sap

and small leaves

notes

The name Buprestis, on which Buprestinae

and Buprestidae are based, means “cow

sweller” or “cow burner” in ancient Greek,

which is surprising for a harmless beetle!

below | Anthaxia candens One of the

most striking European beetles, which

develops in cherry trees. This specimen

was photographed in Hungary.