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Euchroma gigantea
Buprestis is a synonym for the Genus "Euchroma." The genus has only one species (gigantea) but has 5 supspecies. It is a metallic green beetle that measures 6-8 cm long. The Prothorax has two large black or deep purple spots, one on each side. The eggs are laid on/in rotten stumps or logs. The larvae are seldom seen as they bore into the rotten wood, not emerging until ready to pupate. The adults can be seen walking around the ground, usually near such stumps or logs.
This species is found from Panama south and east to Peru and Western Brazil.This one was found about 3 feet off the ground on the bole of a tree in the Amazon rainforest in SE Ecuador.
Beautiful large beetle. Almost unbelievable color. Rarely seen.
Spotted on Jul 31, 2009
Submitted on Mar 8, 2019
2 Comments
Thanks Mark. Just got back from a trip deeper into the jungle. I was trying to get to a place where I could take a good photo of a woodpecker when something large and heavy fell right beside me. I checked it out and came up with the twin of the Jewel Beetle shown here. Perhaps a little more copper-colored. They are beautiful.
It's huge. Makes our buprestids seem tiny.