Beetles
of Fiji
|
Beetles
of Fiji
|
|
Over eighty per cent of all known living animal species are insects. Of the class insects the ORDER COIEOPTERA (Beetles) represents 350,000 to 400,000 known species and it is believed there are still millions of yet unknown species. These statistics prompted a well - known English Geneticist to declare when asked about the nature of god that he displays "An Inordinate Fondness For Beetles". Of this immense beetle population there are some 20,000 species of the family Buprestidae. These are popularly referred to as "JEWEL" beetles as so many of them display brilliant metallic or iridescent colours.
Jewel or Buprestid beetles are found world-wide or at least in all areas where trees grow. However, the vast majority inhabit the tropics. Fiji has several species, which are among the most colourful of its beetle population. None of them are common unless one knows where to look for them. In spite of their brilliant colours or perhaps because of it, as their spectacular colours surprisingly only help these beetles blend into their natural surroundings. This factor and because Buprestid beetles are not attracted to light, like many other beetles make them difficult to catch, even when they are much in demand with collectors.
Since most Buprestid beetles in Fiji do not present a problem as Economic pests, little study has been done on them. Their host plants, distribution and life cycles are little understood or unknown. Because Buprestid beetles are of no Economic importance, they are of little or no interest to any but a small circle of insect collectors and students of Entomology and maybe those who can find beauty in a humble beetle.
The Paracupta
Sulcata is possibly the most beautiful of all Fiji's Buprestid beetles with
its dramatic display of metallic green and powder yellow stripes. Unfortunately
it is rather rare. It has been collected on Viti Levu, Taveuni and Vanua Balavu
in the Lau Group, so it is well distributed. Paracupta Sulcata is represented
by related species in the Solomons, New Caledonia and the New Hebrides. 
Although
the bright metallic colours displayed by this beetle are quite pleasing to our
eyes, to potential predators they probably signal this beetle is poisonous or
at least distasteful. Whether this beetle is actually poisonous or distasteful
is not known. Often insects produce such bright colours only to mimic other
genuinely poisonous or bad tasting insects. In the insect world mimicry is more
highly developed then any other area of the animal world.
AGRILUS SP (87 cents)
The
number of species in the genus Agrilus are numerous and taxonomically difficult
to identity. Perhaps two thirds of Ball Buprestid are in the genus Agrilus
or Trachys. This beetle can often be found in large numbers on its host plant
the cat's or monkey's tail (Acalypha) on warm sunny days.
It is an active flier and in flight could easily be mistaken for a small fly.
The metallic blue green colour of these Agrilus species is certainly a warning
to birds that it may not taste good. This defence perhaps explains the bright
metallic colours of so many Buprestid beetles. The genus Agrilus has so many
colourful members but all are quite small with Fiji's representative measuring
a mere 7 1/2 mm. A magnifying glass might be needed to enjoy this beetle.
CYPHOGASTRA ABDOMINALS ($1.06 )
From
different angles and different lights, this exquisite beetle displays iridescent
greens or copper reds, thus certainly living up to its title "JEWEL".
Yellow powdery stripes may or may not appear on the Elytra in this species.
This species is a forest dweller but like most Buprestid it likes sunny spots
and is most likely to be spotted in clearings on its host tree. 
Cyphogastra
Abdominals lays it's eggs just under the bark of its host tree where the hatched
larva will feed on the inner wood making a tunnel in the tree trunk or limb.
Once the larva pupates in its tunnel it will remain immobile until it has
metamorphasized into a fully developed adult beetle. As a mature beetle it
will seek a mate to; complete its life cycle. A mature beetle usually lives
only one season or less while the phases of egg, larva, pupa may take years.
PARACUPTA SP ($2.00)
The stunning metallic
blue and powdery yellow stripes on the Elytra certainly make this beetle among
Fiji's most beautiful. However, to birds looking for a 
meal
this beetle would be passed up as probably bad tasting displaying such colours.
This species
like most larger Buprestids will lay their eggs under the bark of a weak or
dead tree where the hatched larva will feed and burrow. It will develop and
grow in size until it is ready to pupate and until it is ready to emerge as
fully mature beetle.
| Title | The Buprestid Jewel Beetles of Fiji |
| Values | 15¢, 87¢, $1.06, $2.00 |
| Designer | George Bennett |
| Printer | The House of Questa |
| Process | Lithography |
| Stamp Size | 31.75 x 48.26 mm |
| Stamp Format | Landscape |
| Set Perforation | 50 (2 panes of 25 stamps) |
| Perforation Gauge | 14 per 2cm |
| Paper | CA Watermarked Paper |
Period of
sale - Unless stock is exhausted earlier, the stamps will remain on sale
at
the Post Office and Philatelic Bureau until 13th March, 2001.
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