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biodiversity explorer

the web of life in southern Africa

Family: Buprestidae (jewel beetles)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Ecdysozoa > Panarthropoda > Tritocerebra > Arthopoda > Mandibulata > Atelocerata > Panhexapoda > Hexapoda > Insecta (insects) > Dicondyla > Pterygota > Metapterygota > Neoptera > Eumetabola > Holometabola > Coleoptera (beetles) > Polyphaga

Torpedo-shaped, hard-bodied beetles that vary considerably in size (2-50mm) and colour. They are usually brightly coloured with metallic colours in some cases. Others are cryptically coloured, brown or black. Others are strikingly covered in tufts of coloured, wax-coated hairs. Buprestids are heat-loving (thermophilous) and can tolerate very high temperatures so are active in hot, sunny conditions when they are very alert, making them difficult to catch. The adults feed on pollen, foliage and nectar. The females lay their eggs in bark crevices and the larvae tunnel into wood and plant stems. While the adults are relatively short-lived, the immatures can take as long as 35 years to complete their development.

Bejewelled with jewel beetles.

Some subfamilies, genera and species from southern Africa

Subfamily Acmaeoderinae

Acmaeodera viridaenea (Glittering jewel beetle), 13mm. [image by M. Picker & C. Griffiths ©, from Field Guide to Insects of South Africa, used with permission].

Subfamily Agrilinae

Phlocteis exasperata (Metal jewel beetle), 12mm. [image by M. Picker & C. Griffiths ©, from Field Guide to Insects of South Africa, used with permission].

Subfamily Agrilinae

Meliboeus punctatus (Painted jewel beetle), 12-15mm. [image by M. Picker & C. Griffiths ©, from Field Guide to Insects of South Africa, used with permission].

 

Subfamily Chalcophorinae

Evides pubiventris (Emerald Jewel beetle), mating, 25mm. [image by A. Weaving ©, from Field Guide to Insects of South Africa, used with permission].

Subfamily Chalcophorinae

Agelia peteli (Meloid-mimicking jewel beetle), 26mm. [image by M. Picker & C. Griffiths ©, from Field Guide to Insects of South Africa, used with permission].

Subfamily Julodinae

Sternocera orissa (Giant jewel beetle), 37mm. [image by A. Weaving ©, from Field Guide to Insects of South Africa, used with permission].

 

Subfamily Julodinae

Neojulodis tomentosa (Plum and green brush jewel beetle), 16mm. [image by M. Picker & C. Griffiths ©, from Field Guide to Insects of South Africa, used with permission].

Subfamily Julodinae

Julodis cirossa (Brush jewel beetle), 27mm. [image by M. Picker & C. Griffiths ©, from Field Guide to Insects of South Africa, used with permission].

 

Subfamily Sphenopterinae

Sphenoptera sp. (Protea borer jewel beetle). [image by M. Picker & C. Griffiths ©, from Field Guide to Insects of South Africa, used with permission].

 

Publications

  • Kerremans, C 1904-1914. Monographie de Buprestides, vol. 1-7. Bruxelles: Janssens & Breuer.

Page by Margie Cochrane