The Jewel Beetle Location – Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India Date – August 2014 The jewel beetles known as metallic wood-boring beetles , from Buprestidae a family of 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. Shape is generally cylindrical or elongate to ovoid, with lengths ranging from 3 to 80 mm, although most species are under 20 mm. The iridescence common to these beetles is not due to pigments in the exoskeleton, but instead physical iridescence 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 pinewood 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. 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. Device – Canon 1Ds Mark III + Lens – Canon EF 28-300mm 1:3.5-5.6 L IS USM + Focal Length – 300mm + Aperture – F/8 + Shutter Speed – 1/1000s + Exposure Mode – Manual + Metering – Matrix + ISO – 400.
Posted on: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 03:56:06 +0000
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