Insect · GBIF taxon 9467191
Highland Jewel Beetle
Calodema ribbeiAlso known as Ribbe's Jewel Beetle, Ribbe's Calodema
Highland jewel beetles are among the most brilliantly colored insects in the canopy of New Guinea montane rainforests. Adults spend their days foraging on nectar and pollen high above the forest floor, displaying metallic orange, green, and deep blue iridescence that dazzles in sunlight. Their wood-boring larvae play a crucial role in forest nutrient cycling by breaking down decaying timber inside living or fallen trees.
DiurnalIridescentCanopy Dweller
Licensed reference(c) Bernard DUPONT, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
—observations
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Nectar
- Pollen
- Wood fibers (larvae)
Predators
- Insectivorous birds
- Tree frogs
- Lizards
ThreatsDeforestation and habitat loss from logging or agriculture
HabitatsMontane tropical rainforests
Life span1–3 years (majority spent as larva)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyBuprestidae
- SpeciesCalodema ribbei
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Distinguished by large size, brilliant golden-orange elytra with dark trim, and metallic blue-green underside.
- Support conservation
- Observe without collecting or capturing, and record sightings in biodiversity databases to aid conservation.
Responsible observation
- Canopy Spotting: Look for bright reflections in flowering tree crowns on sunny mornings.
- Gentle Observation: Avoid disturbing host trees, as adults readily drop or fly off when threatened.
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