Acmaeodera degener (Eschscholtz, 1829)
Family: Buprestidae – Jewel Beetles. (Jewel Beetles also known as wood-boring beetles)
Length 7.5 to 11.5mm.
Adults on wing, between May to August.
Widespread and common species and can be found in the warm southern countries of Europe that mainly frame the Mediterranean, also found in North Africa, Russia and Turkey.
Habitat: Open parts of woodlands and sparsely planted sun-drenched ground. larvae are found under the bark of various types of trees, some in stages of decay that could have been damaged by this and other species of “Jewel Beetles” (The larvae can become a serious pest, in oak woods). The adults are often seen feeding on a variety of seasonal flowers, especially plants in the family, Asteraceae.
Jewel beetles have large eyes and many are metallic in colour, in Asia the wing-cases of some species are collected and made into jewellery, hence the name “Jewel Beetles".