Scientific Name:Temognatha spp., Castiarina spp., and Melobasis spp.
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Threats: Habitat loss and illegal insect collecting
Will they visit?: Jewel beetles frequently visit home gardens with suitable plants
Natural Distribution: Common and widespread throughout the South West and Perth region
Castiarina – (CC)Keith Martin-Smith. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Australia License (Atlas of Living Australia)
Castiarina – (CC)Linda Rogan. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Australia License (Atlas of Living Australia)
Castiarina – (CC)Linda Rogan. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Australia License (Atlas of Living Australia)
Melobasis – (CC)geoffbyrne. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Australia License (Atlas of Living Australia)
Melobasis (CC) Laporte & Gory, 1837 – EntropyAndRoar. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Australia License (Atlas of Living Australia)
Temognatha – (CC)Nicole Farrington. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Australia License (Atlas of Living Australia)
Castiarina anchoralis. (C)Sian Mawson
Castiarina enigma. (C)Sian Mawson
Castiarina gardnerae. (C)Sian Mawson
Castiarina pallidiventris. (C)Sian Mawson
Castiarina picta. (C)Sian Mawson
Castiarina placida & C rufipennis on Nuytsia floribunda. (C)Sian Mawson
Castiarina rufipennis. (C)Sian Mawson
Castiarina sagittaria. (C)Sian Mawson
Castiarina trifasciata. (C)Sian Mawson
Stigmodera roei. (C)Sian Mawson
Habitat at a Glance
See Habitat Guide for more detail
Shelter: Gather in large groups around flowers and leaves
Diet: Pollen and nectar
Water: Not required
ReWild Benefit: Pollination
Habitat Guide - Shelter
Natural Shelter
There are over 1,200 of recorded species of jewel beetle and we know very little about their preferred breeding habitat. Growing different flowering shrubs, trees, and ground covers (eucalypts, wattles, banksias, grevilleas) can provide suitable shelter for different species.
Novel Shelter
Not required.
Habitat Guide - Food and Water
Providing natural sources of food
Jewel beetles feed on the nectar of native flowering plants and can gather in large numbers on suitable plant species. The larvae live under the soil and feed on roots and fungi. A good layer of mulch and leaf litter will provide suitable breeding habitat.
Avoid seeds advertised for local pollinators as these can often contain plants not suitable for our native pollinators and have the potential to become serious weeds.
Providing sources of water
Not required.
ReWild Benefits
Jewel beetles are pollinators in the garden and connect biodiversity across the landscape. They are considered a ‘rare species’ with populations impacted by illegal insect collection. If you see one in your backyard, you can record your sighting on the Atlas of Living Australia and help scientists monitor there population and distribution.
