CHRYSOCHROA FULMINANS GREEN

JEWEL BEETLE TAXIDERMY

Chrysochroa is a genus of metallic wood-boring beetles. Most of the many species are native to Southeast Asian nations such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. However, a good number are found in India, one (Chrysochroa fulgidissima ssp. alternans) in Japan, (Chrysochroa coreana) in Korea, and one (Chrysochroa lepida) in Africa.

Chrysochroa fulminans can reach a length of about 30-40 millimetres . These beetles have a glossy surface with iridescent colors varying from green to reddish or violet.

The dragonflies in this family are large, usually between 1.5 and 3 inches in length. They have bright green eyes, and many species are black with metallic green or yellow markings. Green-eyed skimmers and emerald dragonflies are found near wooded ponds and streams.

The ringed boghaunter (Williamsonia lintneri ) is one of the species in this family. It is a rare dragonfly found only in Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Wisconsin and New Hampshire. It is an endangered species in New Hampshire and Maine.

The ringed boghaunter is a little over an inch in length. It is black with yellow or orange rings on its abdomen. It has a yellow face and mouth and bright bluish-green eyes. The ringed boghaunter is found in acidic bogs, fens, and wetlands with sphagnum ( peat moss). It is one of the first dragonflies to appear in the spring. It is usually seen from late April to June.

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. In addition, almost 100 fossil species have been described.

The larger and more spectacularly colored jewel beetles are highly prized by insect collectors. The elytra of some Buprestidae species have been traditionally used in beetlewing jewellery and decoration in certain countries in Asia, like India, Thailand and Japan.

Shape is generally cylindrical or elongate to ovoid, with lengths ranging from 3 to 80 mm (0.12 to 3.15 in), although most species are under 20 mm (0.79 in). Catoxantha, Chrysaspis, Euchroma and Megaloxantha contain the largest species. 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 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 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 favor 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, such as the invasive emerald ash borer. Some species are attracted to recently burned forests to lay their eggs. They can sense pine wood smoke from up to 50 miles away, and can see infrared light, helping them to zero in as they get closer to a forest fire.

Ten species of flatheaded borers of the family Buprestidae feed on spruce and fir, but hemlock is their preferred food source (Rose and Lindquist 1985). As with roundheaded borers, most feeding occurs in dying or dead trees, or close to injuries on living trees. Damage becomes abundant only where a continuing supply of breeding material is available. The life history of these borers is similar to that of the roundheaded borers, but some exceedingly long life cycles have been reported under adverse conditions. Full-grown larvae, up to 25 mm long, are characteristically flattened, the anterior part of the body being much broader than the rest. The bronzed adults are usually seen only where suitable material occurs in sunny locations.erald ash borer. Some species are attracted to recently burned forests to lay their eggs. They can sense pine wood smoke from up to 50 miles away, and can see infrared light, helping them to zero in as they get closer to a forest fire.