【36mm】Jewel Beetle Specimen

Scientific Name: Chrysochroa fulgidissima

While there are many species of jewel beetles in Japan, the one known as the standard Japanese name Tamamushi (Yamato Tamamushi, Scientific Name: Chrysochroa fulgidissima (Schonherr, 1817)) has been highly prized since ancient times for its beautiful appearance. In everyday conversation, Tamamushi generally refers to this species. Other names include Yamato Tamamushi, Futasuji Aotamamushi, and Futasuji Ruritama-mushi.

They are active on sunny days, flying around broadleaf forests where their adult food sources, such as hackberry and Japanese zelkova trees, grow. At night, they hide in the shade of tree trunks. When the upper trunks of hackberry, Japanese zelkova, or podocarpus trees are sawn, they often gather near the cut surfaces, attracted by the scent, and sometimes swarm in groups. On the other hand, individuals are often seen sunbathing on dry bamboo in hedges or on dead branches sticking out alone. They are cautious and agile, but when a human approaches within about 2 meters, they stop moving instantly. If approached further, they fly away or fall into the foliage and disappear.
Eggs are laid in the cracks or scars of the bark of trees such as hackberry, podocarpus, and jujube, as well as apple trees. The larvae bore oval-shaped holes along the trunk deep within the wood, making them difficult to detect from the surface. They are considered pests that can cause accidents such as trunk breakage or tree felling due to wind and rain, and are disliked by orchard owners and gardeners.

The elytra (wing covers) of this species exhibit a metallic luster due to structural coloration, so they do not fade even after death. They have been processed into accessories and used as decoration for the Tamamushi Zushi (Jewel Beetle Cabinet) in the Horyu-ji Temple treasures. To enhance preservation during processing, they may be encased in resin. The term Tamamushi-iro (iridescent/ambiguous), used to describe something that can be interpreted in various ways and is not clear, originates from this insect whose wing color appears to change depending on the light. In Japan, there is a superstition that if you keep a Tamamushi in your chest of drawers, your kimono will multiply.

Please understand that we cannot guarantee against downgrading due to shipping.
We will ship the pictured individual from Japan.
I measured the body length from head to thorax to be 36mm.