Chrysina resplendens

Overview

Exeter places this species in Costa Rica and Panama. Its metallic-gold shine arises from cuticular structure rather than precious metal. Proposed camouflage or signalling functions remain uncertain.

Finlayson, McDonald and Vukusic’s 2017 optical study correlates polarized reflectance spectra with cuticular nanostructure. Incrementally rotated dielectric planes form a helicoidal arrangement. The golden cuticle reflects both right- and left-handed circularly polarized light; an ordinary illustration cannot demonstrate that optical measurement.

Entomologist David Hawks places Chrysina jewel scarabs in Scarabaeidae, subfamily Rutelinae. His museum account describes a New World group with diverse metallic colours and adults that feed on leaves. These genus-level observations are not a measured life cycle for this species.

Origins & earliest records

Optical research is complemented by an entomologist’s museum account.

Evidence & interpretation

Measured reflectance is distinguished from uncertain adaptive explanations.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Secret of why jewel scarab beetles look like pure gold, explained by physicists

   University of Exeter · 2017

2. 02

   Optically ambidextrous circularly polarized reflection from the chiral cuticle of the scarab beetle Chrysina resplendens

   Finlayson, McDonald and Vukusic · 2017

3. 03

   Jewel Scarabs

   David C. Hawks · 2002

Family, evolution & connections

Taxonomic classification

A hierarchy of classified groups, not a chain of direct ancestors.

Source note: Museum placement supplies family context; optics does not establish a phylogeny.

1. FamilyScarabaeidae
2. SubfamilyRutelinae

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. University research accountSecret of why jewel scarab beetles look like pure gold, explained by physicistsResearch access: 2026-10-11
2. Retained native indexed primary abstractOptically ambidextrous circularly polarized reflection from the chiral cuticle of the scarab beetle Chrysina resplendensResearch access: 2026-10-11
3. Museum entomologyJewel ScarabsResearch access: 2026-10-11

Image credits

AI scientific interpretation of Chrysina resplendens.

AI scientific interpretation of an imagined Chrysina resplendens.