The Buprestidae family of Jewel beetles is
named for their spectacular iridescent colours. In my opinion, Chrysochroa
buqueti is one of the finest. This is no mean claim, as to date, over 15,000 of
the species are known.
Rather less is known about the recently
discovered hybrid pictured here, one of two homo-insecta that I managed
to capture on paper in between attending screenings at the recent Melbourne
International Film Fesitval. (See also blog post Tuesday, August 19).
Despite her flamboyant colours, the
Chrysochroa buqueti Beetle Woman proved to be very reticent; she was hard to pin down, metaphorically
speaking. Several additional sightings were required before an accurate
likeness could be captured and the image finally published.
Pictured above: Chrysochroa buqueti Beetle Woman, 2014, watercolour, 41.91 x 29.72 cm.
Pictured below: a sequence of developmental
images, followed by the homo-insecta's not-so-distant forbear, the Malaysian Chrysochroa
buqueti beetle.
