Buprestidae

Family Buprestidae

The Buprestidae is one of the most remarkable and diverse groups of beetles found throughout the world. These beetles are particularly interesting because of their attractive colouration and shiny surface of the trunk, which has earned them the nickname “jewel beetles”. 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.

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.