When insects come to mind, we most often picture the grotesque and nasty little invaders that
break into our homes or torment us when we want a little peace.
But when it comes to beetles specifically, we start to picture cute little guys with
beautiful coloration and patterns.
In general, these colors and patterns help them fool predators or blend in with their
surroundings, but some species have it at another level
that might fool us humans as well, making it hard for us to believe they are actually
living creatures.
From the ones that look like metals from outer space to the ones that look like gold droplets,
stay with us, as we are looking at 10 beetles that look like jewelry.
Number 10.
Native and common to southern Europe, North Africa, the Near East and the Middle East,
the rosemary beetle is a very colorful species with metallic green and purple longitudinal
stripes on the elytra.
As the name suggests, this species feeds on various aromatic flowering plants, mainly
on rosemary, lavender and thyme.
Although it is susceptible to some pesticides, it is usually recommended that home growers
pick off beetles by hand, or shake them off onto a sheet of paper to
remove them if the plant affected by them is intended for culinary purposes.
Otherwise, they do not present a major problem to the host plants, and damage is barely noticeable.
Number 9.
Native to Japan and Korea, where it is typically found in woods or forests during summer under
the strong sunshine, the jewel beetle is truly fascinating to look at with its resplendent
metallic coloration.
Since this insect has iridescent elytra that glow lengthwise with different colors depending
upon the light angle, one cannot be sure exactly which color it is.
Therefore, it gave rise to the expression tamamushi-iro, or tamamushi color, in reference
to a convoluted statement that can be interpreted in more ways than one.
Because of their striking iridescence also, this jewel beetle was used as ornament in
ancient Japanese times.
Number 8.
Native to the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador, the golden target beetle is absolutely stunning
with its alternating black and gold rings on the carapace.
Such brilliant coloration makes this species to appear as if it is made of plated gold.
As a tortoise beetle itself, this little creature can find shelter under its carapace if they
are not in flight.
Number 7.
If you think these tiny little things are steel balls, you are wrong.
Native to Australia, the steel blue ladybird is truly spectacular with its rounded appearance
of iridescent blue green colouration.
As a predator of other insects, this species was introduced to New Zealand in 1899 and
1905 to control black scale and blue gum scale on citrus trees, where it is now common in
northern regions.
Number 6.
Distributed all over Indochina, the jewel bugs are closely related to stink bugs as
they may also produce an offensive odour when disturbed.
Despite their resemblance to beetles, jewel bugs are hemipterans or true bugs, which means
they have mouths that suck, rather than beetles with mouths that chomp.
We are making this species an exception to be on this list seeing how they are often
brilliantly colored, exhibiting a wide range of iridescent metallic hues that change with
the view angle.
Number 5.
Found in Brazil, the imperial tortoise beetle looks like a piece of jewelry that is out
of this world.
With brilliant metallic blue and golden patterns on its carapace, this species will truly leave
you in awe regarding how creative nature can get when it comes to beauty.
Number 4.
Present in most Eurasian countries, the Snowdon beetle is arguably one of the most beautiful
beetles found in Europe.
About the size of a ladybird, what this tiny, thyme-eating creature lacks in stature, it
makes up for in dazzling colour.
Its wing cases are striped with iridescent bands of red, gold, green and blue, so it’s
easy to see why it’s also called the Rainbow Leaf Beetle.
In the UK, this living gem is classified as endangered and despite of this species being
monitored, there hasn’t really been a decline in population
numbers per se, it might just be that this species was always rare.
Number 3.
Originating from tropical Africa, the purple jewel beetle is a very variable, always brightly
metallic colored species from the subfamily of the rose beetles.
They are easy to breed, highly fertile and the development is relatively fast.
While they do look like gorgeous little pieces of living jewelry, they are actually quite
the little pests in Africa, where they can cause major damage to fruit
trees by eating all the flowers and fruits.
Number 2.
Found in northern Queensland Australia and New Guinea, the rainbow stag beetle is not
exactly how you would imagine if the word stag beetle was to be mentioned.
Depending on the angle and lighting by which you view these beetles they appear to change
colour and truly do seem to shine with all the colours of the rainbow,
with these colours looking more like metallic paint than the sorts of colours you would
expect to find on a stag beetle.
Despite of the fact that they are not aggressive and have a fairly long life of up to 2 years,
a lot of people keep these guys as pets just so that they can constantly admire their beauty.
Number 1.
Mainly found in the Americas, the golden jewel scarab is just too beautiful to believe your
eyes at first glance.
Like the name suggests, the structure of this tiny creature and its armour uniquely manipulates
the way the light is reflected so that it looks like pure gold.
Because of its resemblance to the precious metal, gold, this species is highly prized
by collectors.
After all, the brilliant golden color does not fade even when the creature dies.