Buprestidae, Jewel Beetles
The Buprestidae is one of the most remarkable and diverse govered in various shades of green, blue, red and gold, allowing them to blend in perfectly with their surroundings.
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Their bodies are often covered in various shades of green, blue, red and gold, allowing them to blend in perfectly with their surroundings. Buprestidae is a large family with over 15,000 described species divided into several subfamilies. Although found all over the world, the greatest diversity of these beetles can be found in tropical regions.
Taxonomy and Classification
Buprestidae belongs to the order Coleoptera within the class Insecta. They are classified under the suborder Polyphaga and infraorder Elateriformia. Within the superfamily Buprestoidea, the Buprestidae family includes several subfamilies, with Agrilinae being one of the most significant.
The taxonomic hierarchy of Buprestidae is well-established within entomological classifications:
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Infraorder: Elateriformia
Superfamily: Buprestoidea
Family: Buprestidae Leach, 1815
The family contains numerous genera distributed across multiple subfamilies. Buprestis, one of the notable genera within the tribe Buprestini and subfamily Buprestinae, comprises approximately 78 described species, occurring across most biogeographic realms except parts of Africa and Antarctica. The evolutionary history of jewel beetles dates back to the Middle Jurassic period, though they became particularly widespread toward the end of the Lower Cretaceous and remained among the most common beetle groups until the Eocene.
Physical Characteristics and Morphology
The jewel beetles earned their common name from their spectacular appearance characterized by metallic, iridescent colors that include vibrant shades of green, blue, and copper. Their body shape is generally cylindrical or elongate to ovoid, with lengths ranging significantly from 3 to 80 mm (0.12 to 3.15 in), though most species measure under 20 mm (0.79 in).
The most striking feature of Buprestidae is their coloration, which, unlike many other colorful insects, does not result from pigments in the exoskeleton. Instead, their iridescence is produced through structural coloration, where microscopic textures in their cuticle selectively reflect specific frequencies of light in particular directions—similar to the optical effect observed in compact discs. This structural adaptation serves multiple purposes, including camouflage, mate attraction, and warning signals to potential predators.
The largest jewel beetle species belong to genera such as Catoxantha, Chrysaspis, Euchroma, and Megaloxantha. In tropical regions, some species like Macrodactylus subspinosus can exceed 100 mm in length, representing the upper size limit for this family. What does jewel beetle eat.
Life Cycle and Ecology
Developmental Stages
The life cycle of jewel beetles follows the complete metamorphosis pattern typical of holometabolous insects, comprising four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The duration of each stage varies across species and is often influenced by environmental conditions, particularly temperature and humidity.
Larvae of Buprestidae are commonly known as “flatheaded borers” due to their distinctive morphology. These larvae typically develop within plant tissues, particularly wood, where they create galleries as they feed. The larval stage often occurs within decaying wood, where they contribute significantly to nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems.
Feeding Habits and Habitat
Jewel beetles are found in diverse habitats, including forests, grasslands, and even urban areas. Their distribution is strongly influenced by bioclimatic variables, particularly precipitation patterns and temperature seasonality. Research on species like Chalcophora detrita indicates that rainfall during the driest month and temperature seasonality are among the most significant factors determining habitat suitability.
The larvae of jewel beetles bore through various plant tissues, including roots, logs, stems, and leaves of different plant types ranging from trees to grasses. Most wood-boring species prefer dying or dead branches on otherwise healthy trees, though some attack green wood. This feeding behavior categorizes many jewel beetles as saproxylic organisms—those dependent on dead or decaying wood for at least part of their life cycle.
Adult jewel beetles typically emerge in early summer, with mating and egg-laying often occurring during the driest periods of the season. This timing is critical for reproductive success and helps explain why precipitation during dry periods significantly influences their distribution patterns.
Ecological and Economic Significance
Ecological Roles
Jewel beetles serve critical ecological functions in their native habitats. As decomposers, they accelerate the breakdown of dead wood, facilitating nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. Some species also act as pollinators, contributing to plant reproduction and ecosystem health.
Their sensitivity to environmental changes makes jewel beetles valuable bioindicators for assessing ecosystem health. Population declines may signal habitat degradation or climate change impacts, providing early warnings of broader ecological disruptions. This sensitivity, however, also makes them vulnerable to environmental stressors.
Economic Impact
While most jewel beetles contribute positively to ecosystem functioning, some species are serious pests capable of causing significant economic damage. Wood-boring buprestid species can kill trees, particularly when populations reach outbreak levels. Notable pest species include Agrilus mali, a quarantine apple tree pest, and Agrilus fleischeri, a poplar pest.
Beyond their destructive potential, jewel beetles have cultural and economic value in other contexts. The elytra (wing covers) of certain Buprestidae species have been traditionally used in beetlewing jewelry and decorative art in various Asian countries, including India, Thailand, and Japan. This practice highlights the aesthetic appreciation of these insects across different cultures.
Superfamily Buprestoidea Leach, 1815
Family Schizopodidae J.L. LeConte, 1859
Family Buprestidae Leach, 1815
Subfamily Julodinae Lacordaire, 1857
Subfamily Polycestinae Lacordaire, 1857
Tribe Acmaeoderini Kerremans, 1893
Tribe Astraeini Cobos, 1980
- Tribe Bulini Bellamy, 1995
- Tribe Haplostethini J.L. LeConte, 1861
- Tribe Paratracheini Cobos, 1980
- Tribe Perucolini Cobos, 1980
- Tribe Polycestini Lacordaire, 1857
- Tribe Polyctesini Cobos, 1955
- Tribe Prospherini Cobos, 1980
- Tribe Ptosimini Kerremans, 1903
- Tribe Thrincopygini J.L. LeConte, 1861
- Tribe Tyndaridini Cobos, 1955
- Tribe Xyroscelidini Cobos, 1955
Subfamily Galbellinae Reitter, 1911
Subfamily Chrysochroinae Laporte, 1835
- Tribe Chrysochroini Laporte, 1835
- Tribe Dicercini Gistel, 1848
- Tribe Evidini Tôyama, 1987
- Tribe Paraleptodemini Cobos, 1975
- Tribe Paratassini Bílý & Volkovitsh, 1996
- Tribe Poecilonotini Jakobson, 1913
- Tribe Sphenopterini Lacordaire, 1857
- Tribe Vadonaxiini Descarpentries, 1970
Subfamily Buprestinae Leach, 1815
- Tribe Actenodini Gistel, 1848
- Tribe Anthaxiini Gory & Laporte, 1839
- Tribe Bubastini Obenberger, 1920
- Tribe Buprestini Leach, 1815
- Tribe Chrysobothrini Gory & Laporte, 1836
- Tribe Coomaniellini Bílý, 1974
- Tribe Curidini Holyński, 1988
- Tribe Epistomentini Levey, 1978
- Tribe Exagistini Tôyama, 1987
- Tribe Glaphyropterini Pongrácz, 1935†
- Tribe Julodimorphini Kerremans, 1903
- Tribe Kisanthobiini Richter, 1949
- Tribe Maoraxiini Holyński, 1984
- Tribe Melanophilini Bedel, 1921
- Tribe Melobasini Bílý, 2000
- Tribe Mendizabaliini Cobos, 1968
- Tribe Nascionini Holyński, 1988
- Tribe Phrixiini Cobos, 1975
- Tribe Pterobothrini Volkovitsh, 2001
- Tribe Stigmoderini Lacordaire, 1857
- Tribe Thomassetiini Bellamy, 1987
- Tribe Trigonogeniini Cobos, 1956
- Tribe Xenorhipidini Cobos, 1986
Subfamily Agrilinae Laporte, 1835
- Tribe Agrilini Laporte, 1835
- Tribe Aphanisticini Jacquelin du Val, 1859
- Tribe Coraebini Bedel, 1921
- Tribe Tracheini Laporte, 1835
The Family Buprestidae
One of the characteristic features of wood-boring beetles is their larval stage. The larvae of these beetles live inside the wood of plants and trees and feed on woody material. Depending on the species, the larvae can attack both living trees and dead plant parts.
Adult beetles feed on nectar, pollen and plant leaves. Their activity is highest during the warm summer months when they can be observed mating and laying eggs in suitable host plants. The females have developed a so-called ovipositor, which they use to deposit their eggs in cracks in the bark of trees. Scientists study them from many different angles. One of them is studying their fascinating behaviour and life cycle. The other is to analyse the chemicals in the beetles’ bodies that help them survive in their hostile environment full of predators and parasites.
Jewel beetles
The study of these beetles can provide valuable information about the ecology, evolution and conservation of our planet’s biodiversity. These beetles are often associated with forests, as many species are found in deciduous and coniferous forests. Some species also live on savannas, steppes and deserts. Buprestids are usually active during the day and look for flowers on which to collect nectar.
Buprestidae are also popular objects of collecting. Many people collect these beautiful beetles for their aesthetic appearance and collectible value. However, due to forest loss and habitat degradation, some species are becoming endangered.
