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Jewel scarab

(Redirected from Jeweled scarab)
For jewel beetles, see Buprestidae.

Chrysina, or jewel scarabs (not to be confused with jewel beetles, which are a different family), is a genus of brightly colored, often metallic iridescent species of ruteline beetles. They range from the southwestern edge of the United States, through Mexico and Central America, and as far south as Colombia and Ecuador.[1] Chrysina contains more than 120 species, includes all those formerly in the genus Plusiotis.[1][2] The genus name is from Greek χρύσινος (chrysinos), "gold-coloured".

Jewel scarabs
Chrysina limbata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Scarabaeidae
Tribe: Rutelini
Genus: Chrysina
Kirby, 1828
Species

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Synonyms
  • Plusiotis Burmeister, 1844
  • Pelidnotopsis Ohaus, 1915
  • Plusiotina Casey, 1915

Distribution and habitat

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Although the genus is wide-ranging, each species tends to be quite restricted in both habitat and distribution, with the vast majority only found in a single or two countries.[1]

Most species are from Mexico and Central America. The highest diversity is in Mexico and Panama, each being home to more than sixty species; Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras also have many species, whereas Belize, El Salvador and Nicaragua each only are known to house one or two species.[1] There are only three species in South America where restricted to western Colombia and western Ecuador, and four species in the United States where restricted to highlands of Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas.[1][3][4]

They tend to be found in pine, juniper or pine-oak forests, or in cloud forests, most commonly between 1,000–3,000 m (3,300–9,800 ft) elevation, but there are also species found up to 3,800 m (12,500 ft) or in lowlands.[1][5]

Behavior

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The immature stages of most species are unknown,[1] but where known the larvae live in and feed on rotting wood, while the adult beetles feed on foliage.[5] They are harmless to humans and not regarded as pests.[4] The adult beetles are attracted to light during the night.[1][5]

Appearance

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These beetles are typically between 15–35 mm (0.6–1.4 in) in length. The majority of species have bright shiny green upperparts, but metallic silver and gold are also common colors (species with all-silver or all-golden upperparts only occur in Central and South America), and a few can be metallic reddish.[1][6] Some species combine the colors, like the green-and-silver striped C. gloriosa.[6]

They are very popular among collectors; many species are polymorphic. While their value often is quite low, only a few US$, particularly attractive specimens were reported to sell for as much as US$500 in 2007.[7]

Metallic color mechanism

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Research has shown that the elytra of Chrysina are composed of about 70 chitinous layers of exoskeleton. The different reflective indices and spacing of the layers cause light of different wavelengths to be selectively refracted through them and by them in different phases, leading to a metallic appearance, and also leads to different specimens having different colors.[8]

Species

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C. aurigans typically is golden, but can also be metallic red
 
C. gloriosa is one of four species in the United States (the others are C. beyeri, C. lecontei and C. woodi)
 
C. psittacina is found only in Mexico

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Barria, M.D. (2023). A Monographic Revision of The Jewel Scarabs Genus Chrysina from Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Rutelini). Zea Books, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries. doi:10.32873/unl.dc.zea.1345. ISBN 978-1-60962-286-2. S2CID 257918078.
  2. ^ Hawks, D.C. 2001. Taxonomic and nomenclatural changes in Chrysina and a synonymic checklist of species (Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae). Occ. Papers Consort. Coleopt. 4: 1-8
  3. ^ "Genus Chrysina". Bugguide. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  4. ^ a b Maddox, T.G. (2017), Population analysis of Chrysina woodii (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in the Davis Mountains of West Texas, Angelo State University
  5. ^ a b c Jocque, M.; et al. (2013). "Jewel Scarabs (Chrysina sp.) in Honduras: Key Species for Cloud Forest Conservation Monitoring?". Journal of Insect Science. 13 (21): 21. doi:10.1673/031.013.2101. PMC 3738100. PMID 23901802.
  6. ^ a b "Chrysina gallery". Generic Guide to New World Scarab Beetles. University of Nebraska-Lincoln State Museum - Division of Entomology. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Jewel Scarabs". National Geographic. 2007-02-07. Archived from the original on 2007-02-07. Retrieved 2018-08-19.
  8. ^ "Chitin Layers Produce Gold and Silver Colors". Ask Nature. September 14, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
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