AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN NEInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Not Evaluated — not yet assessed against the IUCN Red List criteria.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Chrysina aurigans
Golden Jewel Scarab
(Rothschild & Jordan, 1894)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
An extraordinarily spectacular scarab beetle renowned for its flawless, mirror-like metallic gold exoskeleton. The entire surface of the elytra and pronotum appears as if heavily electroplated in pure, polished 24-karat gold. Under certain lighting angles, the legs can display subtle purple or deep magenta reflections, though the dorsal surface remains entirely bright golden.
Added by
Anonymous Curator
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Under Review
Last modified by
Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Arthropoda
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Insecta
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Coleoptera
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Scarabaeidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Chrysina
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Rothschild & Jordan, 1894)
Record Completeness
96%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Unknown
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Year Round
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Herbivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Endemic to the pristine, high-elevation mid-montane cloud forests and humid oak-dominated rainforests of Costa Rica and western Panama. It is restricted to undisturbed canopy environments, generally operating between 1,200 and 2,500 meters above sea level.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Nocturnal. Adults spend daylight hours hidden high within the canopy foliage, resting motionless on leaves. At night, they become active, flying swiftly through the canopy to locate feeding sites and mates. They are strongly attracted to artificial lights, which is how they are most frequently encountered by researchers.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Solitary. They interact only during mating encounters in the high canopy, without forming groups or aggregations, except when multiple individuals are inadvertently drawn to the same light trap or artificial light source.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Herbivore (Detritivore as larvae, Folivore as adults).Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Larvae are typical white grubs that live underground or inside decaying wood, strictly consuming rotting logs and organic rich humus. Adult beetles feed directly on the tender leaves of high-altitude forest trees, particularly mountain oaks (Quercus species). Natural predators include high-altitude cloud forest birds, small arboreal mammals, and larger bats.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Mating takes place at night high in the forest branches during the onset of the wet season. Females follow volatile chemical signals to locate optimal decomposing nurse logs or humus pockets rich in fungal mycelium, where they bury themselves deeply to lay individual white, oval eggs.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
2.5 - 3.5 cm
Weight (Grams)
3 g - 5.5 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.15 - 40
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
11 - 13 Months
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
14 - 22
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males10 - 14 Months
Females10 - 14 Months
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
Males are marginally smaller but exhibit noticeably hyper-developed, thickened hind femora (thighs) with tiny serrations along the internal edge, used to clasp onto the female's smooth, reflective elytra during copulation.
Females Multi-lang
Females display a slightly broader, rounder abdominal profile with standard, un-thickened hind legs. Their golden outer surface is equally dazzling, lacking the massive modified legs of the males.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
The mirror finish is not caused by gold pigment, but rather by structural coloration consisting of up to 70 alternating microscopic layers of chitin in the cuticle. These layers act as a chirped dielectric reflector, reflecting all wavelengths of visible light to perfectly replicate a metallic sheen.
In the dappled light of the cloud forest canopy, the shiny surface reflects water droplets, wet leaves, and gaps of light, turning the beetle into an effective cloaking device against predatory birds and lizards.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Severe habitat fragmentation driven by climate change pushing cloud forests higher up mountain peaks, combined with agricultural encroachment and high black-market value by illegal insect collectors targeting the genus Chrysina.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
The metallic cuticle of Chrysina aurigans reflects left-handed circularly polarized light, a remarkable optical property shared by only a tiny fraction of living organisms on Earth, which physicists study for advanced nanomaterial applications.