Buprestidae

(jewel beetles)

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

Life cycle of the Buprestidae

Similar to other beetle species, jewel beetles experience complete metamorphosis, which includes four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Typically, female buprestid beetles lay their eggs on the host tree, specifically in the grooves of the bark. Upon hatching, the larvae quickly burrow into the tree.

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.