About Jewel Beetles

The Jewel Beetles are known for their glossy iridescent colours. The family is among the largest of the beetles, with some 15,000 species known in 450 genera. The larger and more spectacularly coloured jewel beetles are highly prized by insect collectors.

Castiarina insignis

This Castiarina insignis was resting on Alpinia caerulea in a garden in The Gap Brisbane. Castiarina insignis also occurs in the Sydney area, possibly as far south as eastern Victoria. It can be found on Acmena smithii when flowering probably in October to November.

Photo: Robert Whyte