Steraspis squamosa

Steraspis squamosa
	Steraspis squamosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Family:	Buprestidae
Genus:	Steraspis
Species:	S. squamosa
Binomial name
	Steraspis squamosa; (Klug, 1829)

Steraspis squamosa or the Middle Eastern jewel beetle is a beetle of the Buprestidae family.

Description

Steraspis squamosa can reach a length of about 27–38 millimetres (1.1–1.5 in). These beetles usually have a metallic green or bluish color with orange margin along the edges of the elytra and a rugose surface. They primarily feed on Tamarix, Rhus tripartita and Acacia. They lay the eggs on tree branches and the caterpillars drill hatching holes in the trunk. At the end of the process the insect bursts the bark and a new life cycle begin. The full life cycle last two years. Adult beetles are active in Spring.

Distribution

This species is present in the northern part of Africa, particularly from Red Sea, Sinai, Israel and Egypt to Syria, Mauritania, Algeria and Morocco.

Subspecies

Steraspis squamosa kindermanni Marseul, 1865
Steraspis squamosa squamosa (Klug, 1829)

Cultural Significance

This beetle is likely the particular species of buprestid beetle depicted in ancient Egyptian art. It feeds on the tamarisk tree, boring holes into it for their larvae to pupate. The larvae emerge once mature as beetles. As such they were likely identified with Osiris, who was imprisoned in a tamarisk tree in some versions of the myth where he is killed by Set. The beetle was associated with rebirth as a result,^[1] and jewelry with the beetles was often found with mummies.^[2]

The beetle appears as part of the pins on Queen Hetepheres bed canopy,^[2]^[1] and as part of a 6th dynasty broad collar.^[3]