Purple Jewel/Flower Beetle Smaragdesthes africana oertzeni

There are several subspecies of Smaragdesthes africana in metallic purple, blue, green and red colours. They are called both Jewel and Flower Beetles. Their diet is rotting fruit. (Another family of beetles is also called Jewel beetles.)

S. a. oertzeni, the Purple Jewel/Flower Beetle, is native to forests of Tanzania and Kenya. Their iridescent colour varies depending on the light, from hues of purple and pink through to petrol blue.

Adults are between 2 and 3 cm long. They live in groups and are active by day, flying well.