Buprestidae Beetle

The Buprestidae Beetle, commonly known as jewel beetles or metallic wood-boring beetles, are a family of beetles known for their iridescent, metallic colors and elongated bodies. This family includes over 15,000 species worldwide, making it one of the largest beetle families.

Buprestidae Beetle

Buprestidae Beetle

Books about Beetles

Unique pictorial atlases for identifying Beetles:

(2020) Tiger Beetles of the World, Cicindelidae, Illustrated guide to the genera
(2023) Tiger Beetles of Africa, Cicindelidae, Geographical guide to the family Cicindelidae
(2024) Tiger Beetles of Orient, Cicindelidae, Geographical guide to the family Cicindelidae
(2022) Ground Beetles of Africa, Afrotropical Region
(2022) Jewel Beetles of the World, Buprestidae, Illustrated guide to the Superfamily Buprestoidea
(2008) The Prionids of the World, Prioninae, Illustrated catalogue of the Beetles
(2010) The Prionids of the Neotropical region, Prioninae, Illustrated catalogue of the Beetles

Characteristics Buprestidae Beetle

  • Size: They range from a few millimeters to over 10 cm (4 inches).

  • Coloration: Many species display vibrant metallic hues, which can include green, blue, gold, and copper shades.

  • Body Shape: Most have an elongated, somewhat flattened shape with a hard exoskeleton.

  • Antennae: Typically short and serrated.

Habitat & Behavior

  • Found in forests, woodlands, and grasslands worldwide, especially in tropical regions.

  • Larvae are wood-borers, tunneling into trees and dead wood, sometimes causing significant damage to timber and live trees.

  • Adults feed on nectar, pollen, and leaves.

  • Some species are attracted to recently burned or damaged trees, making them important decomposers in ecosystems.

Buprestidae Beetle


Notable Species

  • Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) – a highly destructive invasive species killing ash trees in North America and Europe.

  • Sternocera aequisignata – used in traditional Thai jewelry due to its bright, metallic green elytra.

Interesting Facts Buprestidae Beetle

  • Their iridescence comes from microscopic structures in their exoskeleton, which reflect light in different ways.

  • Some species have heat-sensing organs, allowing them to detect forest fires from kilometers away. Buprestidae Beetle

  • Fossils of Buprestidae date back to the Cretaceous period, showing they have been around for over 100 million years.

Buprestidae Beetle
Jewel Beetles of the World – Main section
Buprestidae Beetle
Jewel Beetles of the World – Main section
Buprestidae Beetle
Jewel Beetles of the World – Main section
Buprestidae Beetle
Jewel Beetles of the World – Main section
Buprestidae Beetle
Jewel Beetles of the World – Introduction

 

Buprestidae Beetle

Here are some additional interesting facts about Buprestidae (jewel beetles):

Flight Abilities: Many species are strong fliers, which helps them locate suitable habitats and mating partners over long distances.

Camouflage & Mimicry: Despite their bright colors, some species use their metallic sheen to blend into their surroundings by reflecting the colors of their environment. Others mimic the appearance of toxic or unpalatable insects to avoid predators.

Longevity in Larval Stage: Some jewel beetle larvae can remain dormant inside wood for years, with certain species reported to emerge from furniture or wood products decades after the tree was cut down.

Ecological Role: As decomposers, they help recycle nutrients by breaking down dead or dying trees, contributing to forest regeneration.

Cultural Significance: In addition to Thai jewelry, some indigenous cultures use jewel beetles in artwork, ornaments, and even ceremonial clothing due to their shimmering exoskeletons.

Temperature Sensitivity: The larvae of some species require very specific temperature and humidity conditions to develop properly, which can make them vulnerable to climate change.

Economic Impact: While many species are harmless or even beneficial, some are serious agricultural and forestry pests, causing economic losses by damaging valuable timber and orchard trees.

 

 

Buprestidae Beetle identification

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