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Unexplained Beetle Behavior

January 27, 2010

Caraça Natural Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil

This beetle looks like a buprestid to me. The interesting thing is that it’s splitting this leaf lengthwise. In the second photo, you can see where the cut starts in the upper right. That would seem like an odd way to eat, so I suspect there’s some other purpose. Is anyone familiar with this behavior?

There’s also what appears to be a small wasp hanging out on the elytra.

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Fuzzy Jewel Beetle

January 26, 2010 | Caraça Natural Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Quick! What is it? From this angle, you might mistake this jewel beetle for a bee.

The beetle was feeding on the purplish flowers. Purple in, purple out.

Side view

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