# Anthaxia nitidula

The shiny, green Anthaxia nitidula is a small beetle that loves to munch on leaves. It has a beautiful metallic sheen that makes it sparkle in the sunlight!

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Forests

![Anthaxia nitidula](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Buprestidae_-_Anthaxia_nitidula_-_male.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Hectonichus, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buprestidae_-_Anthaxia_nitidula_-_male.JPG)

## Appearance

The Anthaxia nitidula is a small, metallic jewel beetle, often displaying iridescent green, bronze, or coppery hues. Its flattened, oblong body and the way its colors shimmer distinguish it from duller beetles, especially in sunlight, making it appear jewel-like.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Coleoptera
- **Family:** Buprestidae
- **Genus:** Anthaxia

## Interesting facts

- Adult Anthaxia nitidula are often seen sunbathing on warm leaves, soaking up energy!
- Baby Anthaxia nitidula spend up to two years as grubs, munching inside wood!
- Their amazing shimmer is not paint, but light reflecting off special tiny structures on their shell!
- These tiny beetles are named 'jewel beetles' because of their brilliant, metallic shine!

## Special abilities

- **Iridescent Camouflage:** Anthaxia nitidula has a super shiny exoskeleton that helps them blend into leaves and flowers, making it hard for predators to spot them.
- **Woody Explorer:** Anthaxia nitidula larvae can tunnel through dead wood, creating intricate pathways that help decompose fallen trees in the forest.
- **Flower Courier:** Anthaxia nitidula can fly nimbly between flowers, helping to carry pollen and fertilize plants for new growth and fruits.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 7-16 mm
- **Size:** 4.5-8 mm
- **Lifespan:** 21-60 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

Adult Anthaxia nitidula enjoy sweet flower nectar and pollen, while their larvae munch on dead wood.

- **Age differences:** Larvae feed on dead wood of various deciduous trees. Adults primarily feed on nectar and pollen from flowers.
- **Primary Foods:** nectar, pollen, sap, dead deciduous wood
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Depends on:** Common Oak (*Quercus robur*) — Larvae develop within the dead wood of oak trees.
- **Pollinates:** [Hawthorn](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hawthorn) (*Crataegus monogyna*) — Adults visit hawthorn flowers for nectar, aiding pollination.
- **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Adult Anthaxia nitidula can be prey for small birds.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

These beetles are harmless, but it's best to look and not touch them.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Anthaxia nitidula?

Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What is Anthaxia nitidula's wingspan?

7-16 mm

### How big is Anthaxia nitidula?

4.5-8 mm

### How long does Anthaxia nitidula live?

21-60 days

### What does Anthaxia nitidula eat?

Adult Anthaxia nitidula enjoy sweet flower nectar and pollen, while their larvae munch on dead wood.

### Where is Anthaxia nitidula usually found?

Forests

### How does Anthaxia nitidula hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Anthaxia nitidula have?

6

## More Insects

- [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*)
- [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*)
- [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*)
- [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*)

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Source: [Anthaxia nitidula: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/anthaxia-nitidula)