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Buprestidae is a family of beetles, known as jewel beetles or metallic wood-boring beetles because of their glossy iridescent colors. The family is among the largest of the beetles, with some 15 000 species known in 450 genera.
The larger and more spectacularly colored jewel beetles are highly prized by insect collectors. The elytrae of some Buprestidae species have been traditionally used in beetlewing jewellery and decoration in certain countries in Asia, such as India, Thailand and Japan.
Shape is generally cylindrical or elongate to ovoid, with lengths ranging from 3 mm to an impressive 100 mm, although most species are under 20 mm. A variety of bright colors are known, often in complicated patterns. The iridescence common to these beetles is not due to pigments in the exoskeleton, but instead physical iridescence in which microscopic texture in their cuticle selectively reflects specific frequencies of light in particular directions. This is the same effect that makes a compact disc reflect multiple colors.
The larvae bore through roots, logs, stems, and leaves of various types of plants, ranging from trees to grasses. The wood boring types generally favour dying or dead branches on otherwise-healthy trees, while a few types attack green wood; some of these are serious pests capable of killing trees and causing major economic damage.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 14th May 2010
Text: Wikipedia
Spiderweb, Radovan area.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 14th May 2010
Cricket, Radovan area.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 2nd May 2010
Butterfly, Radovan area.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 14th May 2010
Butterflies, Radovan area.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 2nd May 2010
Ants, Radovan area.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 2nd May 2010
Beetle, Slaveni Castrum area.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 2nd May 2010
A beautiful caterpillar found in the Desa area.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 21st August 2008
Praying Mantis found in a building.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 14th August 2008
Millipede in the forest 1.5 km west of Bilta.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
Although it was still very cold during the spring of 2008, this Miriapod, about 10 cm long, was found in a deep part of the valley of the fossils near Bilta. In summer these millipedes are very fast and hard to find and photograph.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 13th April
