Description

Beetle, Catoxantha opulenta, Jewel Beetle Specimen from Indonesia mounted in a Glass Dome.

This beetle has been mounted in a Glass Dome that is approximately  2 X 3 1/2 inches.  You will receive this specimen or one like it.

Catoxantha opulenta — Indonesia’s Iridescent Green Jewel Beetle

Catoxantha opulenta is a dazzling Indonesian jewel beetle celebrated for its intense metallic green sheen, one of the most striking structural colors in the Buprestidae family. Instead of the yellow-gold forms sometimes referenced in older literature or regional variants, Indonesian specimens—especially those from Sumatra and Java—are primarily emerald to bluish-green, glowing like polished metal under sunlight.

This spectacular coloration comes from structural iridescence: microscopic layers within the exoskeleton split and bend incoming light, producing a shimmering green that changes subtly as the beetle moves. The elytra often feature a central, darker stripe and may show hints of blue or turquoise toward the edges, giving the beetle a layered, gemstone-like appearance.

Adults are strong fliers and are typically found on sunlit tree trunks or forest edges, where their metallic body may help break up their outline—making them surprisingly well camouflaged despite their brilliance. Larvae live deep within dead or dying hardwoods, tunneling slowly through the wood and contributing to decomposition and nutrient cycling in tropical forests.

Collectors admire Catoxantha opulenta not just for its size and shape but for its unmistakable emerald iridescence, making it a standout among Southeast Asian jewel beetles.

Beetle, Cycolmmatus metallifer, Metallic Stag Beetle specimen from Indonesia mounted in a Glass Dome