The Jewel Beetle In 1960, the jewel beetle (genus Melanophila) was first discovered and superficially described by Canadian entomologist William George Evans. Dr. Evans believed that the tiny pits of the jewel beetle contained infrared receptors. The jewel beetle belongs to the Bupresetidae family which is easily recognized for their glossy and iridescent colors. They range in size from 3 to 65 mm long with elongated body shapes that taper toward their abdomens and their short heads. The jewel beetle can multiply in large numbers. They lay their eggs under the bark of trees and shrubs, and the larvae pupate inside the wood of the host plant. The larvae feed on the sapwood under the bark. They emerge as adults by boring a hole in the bark and working their way to the outside. The adults feed mostly on nectar especially Eucalyptus trees. The adults have a very short life span ranging from two days up to two weeks. They are very abundant in numbers in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia where they are regarded as a delicacy.
Sources: http://www.ento.csiro.au/education/insects/coleoptera_families/buprestidae.html http://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/nov/11/arts.artsnews http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/16-million-jewel-beetles-unite-to-form-ceiling-masterpiece.html google images
The Jewel Beetle and Humans Jewel beetles are used in jewelry, art, and fashion . The native people began using the beetle wings as jewelry and ornaments because of their bright colors. Jewel beetle research has been long and detailed, involving not just entomologists, but also chemical ecologists, physiologists, and a physicist. In Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia the Jewel beetle is served in many restaurants and is fried and eaten .
Necklace made of Jewel beetle wings sold on Etsy.com.
Bracelet made of Jewel beetle wings.
Jewel beetle wings are widely used in fashion and clothing.