Description

Beetle, Megaloxantha bicolor, Iridescent green Jewel beetle, mounted in a glass dome.

This beetle has been mounted in an aproximately  2 X 3 1/2 inch glass dome.  You will receive this specimen or one like it.

Megaloxantha bicolor is one of Southeast Asia’s most spectacular jewel beetles, and Indonesia hosts some of the finest specimens. A member of the Buprestidae family, this species is instantly recognizable for its long, slender body and striking two-tone coloration, which often appears as deep metallic green transitioning into vivid orange or golden yellow along the elytra. The exact colors vary by region and individual, making each specimen visually unique.

Like other jewel beetles, M. bicolor owes its brilliance not to pigment but to structural coloration—microscopic layers in the cuticle that bend and scatter light. This creates the intense, shimmering metallic sheen collectors prize. The beetle’s elongated form, sometimes reaching over 80 mm, adds to its dramatic presence.

In the wild, larvae typically develop in dead or dying hardwoods, contributing to forest nutrient cycling. Adults are strong fliers, often found visiting sunlit tree trunks where their reflective colors serve both camouflage and display. Their brightness can mimic sun-glints on bark, a clever form of natural deception.

For collectors, Megaloxantha bicolor represents the classic “tropical jewel beetle” ideal—large, vibrant, and scientifically fascinating thanks to its light-bending exoskeleton.

Beetle, Therea petiveriana, The Domino Cockroach Specimen from Sri Lanka