English

A jewel beetle, Buprestis octoguttata

Noun

jewel beetle ‎(plural jewel beetles)

1. Any of the very many beetles of the family Buprestidae, known for their glossy, irridescent colours.
   • 1996, Phillip W. Hadlington, Judith A. Johnston, Australian Trees: Their Care and Repair, page 5,

     This effect can be produced not only by purposeful ringbarking with an axe but also by insects, such as longicorns and jewel beetles, feeding in the phloem-cambium under the bark.

   • 2007, Prodpran Thakeow, Gerrit Holighaus, Stefan Schütz, 11: Volatile Organic Compounds for Wood Assessment, Ursula Kües (editor), Wood Production, Wood Technology, and Biotechnological Impacts, page 216,

     The black jewel beetle (Melanophila acuminata) was found to be attracted by forest fires, because burnt wood is the only suitable substrate for bringing up its offspring. The antennae of the black jewel beetle were proved to be highly sensitive and selective to guaiacol derivatives, compounds which are generated by the pyrolysis of wood (Schütz et al. 1999a).

   • 2009, Terry Smith, What Is Contemporary Art?, page 172,

     The ceiling and the chandelier of the main hall were covered with the wing cases of thousands of Asian jewel beetles.