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Takeoff of the Jewel
Jewel Scarab (Chrysina sp.) - El Oro Province, Ecuador
These colorful beetles were a fun subject to attempt to photograph one drizzly night in the foothills of the Ecuadorian Andes. Stunningly gorgeous beetlese these scarabs would fly in towards lights and on some nights were present in large numbers. Certain species of this genus are polymorphic meaning that their phenotype can be expressed in different ways, so basically there can be different color variants of these beetles. Apparently some varieties of some species are considered quite rare and valuable, and collectors will pay a hefty sum for them. I only saw one individual with what I would call an atypical phenotype and I will post that one eventually. A light green as seen in this beetle was the "wild type" or prevalent color morph in this population atleast. Interestingly all the beetles in this genus seem to be found at higher elevation from 1000-3000 m asl, the ones I encountered were all at about 1000m and were found in a mixed habitat of pasture and fragmented cloud forest.
Takeoff of the Jewel
Jewel Scarab (Chrysina sp.) - El Oro Province, Ecuador
These colorful beetles were a fun subject to attempt to photograph one drizzly night in the foothills of the Ecuadorian Andes. Stunningly gorgeous beetlese these scarabs would fly in towards lights and on some nights were present in large numbers. Certain species of this genus are polymorphic meaning that their phenotype can be expressed in different ways, so basically there can be different color variants of these beetles. Apparently some varieties of some species are considered quite rare and valuable, and collectors will pay a hefty sum for them. I only saw one individual with what I would call an atypical phenotype and I will post that one eventually. A light green as seen in this beetle was the "wild type" or prevalent color morph in this population atleast. Interestingly all the beetles in this genus seem to be found at higher elevation from 1000-3000 m asl, the ones I encountered were all at about 1000m and were found in a mixed habitat of pasture and fragmented cloud forest.