The document provides an overview of jewel beetles, members of the Buprestidae family known for their bright colors and iridescence. It covers their classification, physical features, habitats, diets, life cycles, and their economic and cultural significance, including their impact as pests and their use in jewelry. Key details include their widespread distribution, behaviors, and the notable emerald ash borer as an invasive species affecting North America.

1. JEWEL BEETLE

2. 1. General introduction.
2. Systematic classification.
3. Identification.
4. Distribution.
5. Physical features.
6. Habit and habitat.
7. Diet choice.
8. Life cycle.
9. Special behavior & defenses.
10. Cultural significance.
11. Economic importance.
SYNOPSISP

3. GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Jewel beetle are often brilliantly colored, and always have
some iridescence ( usually on their underside). Members of
the family BUPRESTIDAE develop in plants, so they are also
called metallic wood borers or flat headed borers.
The emeraid ash borer a non-native invasive species
responsible for killing millions of ash trees in north america, it
is likely the most known member of this beetle family.
The metallic gleaming color of jewel beetle is mesmerizing
though little is known about the life and musing of these little
gems.

4. SYSTEMATIC CLASSIFICATION
• KINGDOM  ANIMALIA
• PHYLUM  ARTHOPODA
• SUB-PHYLUM  UNIRAMIA
• CLASS  INSECTA
• ORDER  COLEOPTERA
• SUB-ORDER  POLYPHAGA
• SUPER- FAMILY  BUPRESTOIDEA
• FAMILY  BUPRESTIDAE
• GENUS 
• SPECIES 

5. IDENTIFICATION
Jewel beetle are often brightly coloured, with some
species having a metallic sheen that makes them
popular with collectors.
DISTRIBUTION
 Jewel beetle are found throuhout australia.
Unidentified species from pune (India).
Fossil jewel beetle from the eocone (Germany).

6. PHYSICAL FEATURES
 Size range 3mm-75mm.
 Shape is generally cylindrical or elongate to ovoid.
 The iridescence common to these beetles is not due to
pigments in the exoskeleton, but instead is caused by structural
coloration, 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 colores.
 ANTENNA  Beetle have a pair of antenna on the head used
as sensors.
 HEAD  The head Is consist of insect’s eye, antenna,
mandibles.

7.  THORAX  Holds the three pairs of legs as well as vital
internal organs.
 ELYTRON  One of two wing cases on a beetle that protects
its wings.
 WINGS Appendages caused for flying and kept under the
elytra until needed.
 ABDOMEN Houses organs related to circulation,
reproduction and excretion.
 LEGS Beetles have three pairs of legs located at the
thorax, numbering six legs in all.

8. HABIT AND HABITAT
 Jewel beetle live in forests and woodland, heath. Many are
found In the sydney region and can be seen feeding on flying
around flowers in heaths and woodlands.
 The larvae live in the wood or more rarely soften plant stems,
with some species feeding in dry leaves.
 As with roundheaded borers, most feeding occur in dying or
dead trees or close to injurious or living trees.
DIET
 Adult jewel beetle mainly feed on plant foliage or nectar,
although some species feed on pollen and can be observed
visiting flowers. Jewel beetle larvae feed on the sapwood of
trees and shrubs. Some BUPRESTID larvae are leaf
miners, and a few are gallmakers.

10. LIFE-CYCLE
 Like all beetle, jewel beetle
undergo complete
metamorphosis with four life-
cycle stages  egg, larva, pupa
& adult.
 Female buprestid adults usually
deposit eggs on the host tree, in
the crevices of bark. When the
larvae hatch, they immediately
tunnel into the tree, the larvae
bore winding galleries in the
wood as they feed and grow, and
eventually pupate within the tree.
Adults emerge and exit the tree.

11. SPECIAL BEHAVIOR & DEFENSES
• Some jewel beetle can delay their emergence in certain
condition, such as when the host tree is harvested and
milled. Jewel beetles sometimes emerge from wood
products, such as flooring or furniture, years after the
wood was harvested.
• The longest known record of delayed emergence is of
adult that emerged a full 51 years after the initial
infestation occurred.

12. CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
Many buprestids are serious pests and cause extensive
damage to timber & other crop plants, introduced
species such as EMERALD ASH BORER ( Agrilus
planipennis) introduced to the midwestern, can be
particularly devastating. In contrast the elytra of some
species have traditionally been used in making
spectacular beetle wing jewelry and decoration in
several countries.

13. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
 Many beetles are regarded as major pests of
agricultural plants and stored products.
 They attack all parts of living plants as well as
processed fibres, grains & wood products.
 They are herbivore, larvae are known as falt-head
wood borer, some species are forestry pests.

14. THANK YOU