Chrysina
1 species
Chrysina, or jewel scarabs (not to be confused with jewel beetles, which are a different family), is a genus of brightly colored, often metallic iridescent species of ruteline beetles. They range from the southwestern edge of the United States, through Mexico and Central America, and as far south as Colombia and Ecuador. Chrysina contains more than 120 species, includes all those formerly in the genus Plusiotis. The genus name is from Greek χρύσινος (chrysinos), "gold-coloured".
Although the genus is wide-ranging, each species tends to be quite restricted in both habitat and distribution, with the vast majority only found in a single or two countries.
Most species are from Mexico and Central America. The highest diversity is in Mexico and Panama, each being home to more than sixty species; Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras also have many species, whereas Belize, El Salvador and Nicaragua each only are known to house one or two species. There are only three species in South America where restricted to western Colombia and western Ecuador, and four species in the United States where restricted to highlands of Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas.
They tend to be found in pine, juniper or pine-oak forests, or in cloud forests, most commonly between 1,000–3,000 m (3,300–9,800 ft) elevation, but there are also species found up to 3,800 m (12,500 ft) or in lowlands.
Chrysina, or jewel scarabs (not to be confused with jewel beetles, which are a different family), is a genus of brightly colored, often metallic iridescent species of ruteline beetles. They range from the southwestern edge of the United States, through Mexico and Central America, and as far south as Colombia and Ecuador. Chrysina contains more than 120 species, includes all those formerly in the genus Plusiotis. The genus name is from Greek χρύσινος (chrysinos), "gold-coloured".
Although the genus is wide-ranging, each species tends to be quite restricted in both habitat and distribution, with the vast majority only found in a single or two countries.
Most species are from Mexico and Central America. The highest diversity is in Mexico and Panama, each being home to more than sixty species; Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras also have many species, whereas Belize, El Salvador and Nicaragua each only are known to house one or two species. There are only three species in South America where restricted to western Colombia and western Ecuador, and four species in the United States where restricted to highlands of Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas.
They tend to be found in pine, juniper or pine-oak forests, or in cloud forests, most commonly between 1,000–3,000 m (3,300–9,800 ft) elevation, but there are also species found up to 3,800 m (12,500 ft) or in lowlands.
