# Jewel Beetle (*Chrysochus auratus*) The Jewel Beetle is a shiny little insect that sparkles in the sunlight. Its colorful body can be green, blue, or even gold! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 16 - **Habitat:** Forests and woodlands - **Also known as:** Golden Beetle, Golden Tortoise Beetle ![Jewel Beetle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426952/objects/5544.jpg) ## Appearance The Jewel Beetle has an elongated, somewhat flattened body, often showcasing an incredible iridescent, metallic sheen. Its exoskeleton shimmers with bright emerald green, blue, copper, or golden hues, making it look like a living gem. This intense, gem-like coloration makes it visually distinct from most other beetles. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Chrysomelidae - **Genus:** Chrysochus ## Interesting facts - Adult Jewel Beetles often feign death by dropping to the ground when they feel threatened. - Female Jewel Beetles can sometimes lay their eggs on objects mistaken for wood, like shiny car paint! - Some Jewel Beetle larvae can live hidden inside wood for over 40 years before finally emerging! - Their shimmering colors come from tiny structures that reflect light, not pigments, like a living rainbow! ## Special abilities - **Iridescent Camouflage:** Jewel Beetle has a dazzling iridescent exoskeleton that helps them blend into dappled sunlight and avoid predators. - **Wood-Boring Master:** Jewel Beetle larvae can tunnel through solid wood because of their powerful mandibles, which helps them find food and shelter. - **Fire Detector:** Some Jewel Beetles can detect forest fires from afar using special sensors, which helps them find fresh burnt wood for breeding. - **Tough Armor:** Jewel Beetle has an extremely hard exoskeleton that helps them protect their soft bodies from impacts and predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 15-50 mm - **Size:** 8-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 10 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult Jewel Beetles munch on leaves and nectar, while their larvae feast on wood. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat wood and inner bark of trees, while adults feed on leaves, nectar, or pollen from various plants. - **Primary Foods:** Leaves, Nectar, Pollen, Wood (larvae), Inner Bark (larvae) - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — A common forest bird that preys on various insects, including beetles. - **Eats:** Red Oak (*Quercus rubra*) — Larvae tunnel and feed within the wood of oak trees, causing damage. - **Pollinates:** [Common Milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) — Adult Jewel Beetles visit milkweed flowers, helping with pollination. - **Parasitizes:** Braconid Wasp (*Spathius curvicaudis*) — Wasp larvae develop inside the beetle larvae, eventually killing them. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [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. - [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. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [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) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Jewel Beetle? 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 Jewel Beetle's wingspan? 15-50 mm ### How big is Jewel Beetle? 8-25 mm ### How long does Jewel Beetle live? 30-90 days ### How fast can Jewel Beetle fly? 10 km/h ### What does Jewel Beetle eat? Adult Jewel Beetles munch on leaves and nectar, while their larvae feast on wood. ### Where is Jewel Beetle usually found? Forests and woodlands ### How does Jewel Beetle hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [American Baptist College](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/american-baptist-college) — Tennessee, US · Campus - [Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/battle-creek-cypress-swamp-sanctuary) — Maryland, US · Nature Reserve - [Chatham Arch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chatham-arch) — Indiana, US · Neighborhood - [Garland Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/garland-hill-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District - [Market Square](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/market-square) — Tennessee, US · Historic District - [Morrill County Courthouse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/morrill-county-courthouse) — Nebraska, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Jewel Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/jewel-beetle) ## 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*) --- Source: [Jewel Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/jewel-beetle)