Jewel Beetle

Jewel Beetles are a species of insects native to The Faerie Wilds. They are known for their jewel-coloured wing cases, and can be found in almost as many shades as the mundane jewels and crystals. It is no wonder that those rich and fortuned have taken a liking into these beautiful beetles, creating a trend of using them as living jewelry. Thanks to their remote and very unpredictable habitat, jewel beetle jewelry is a rare luxury and thus those who happen to these insects usually take a very good care of them. When not used as a jewelry, the jewel beetles are kept as pets, only taken out for the most important events. As these beetles seem to have a potential to live even for centuries, though this is a rarity of its own and only beetles kept extremely well have ever reached such an old age, they are sometimes kept as family heirlooms.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Jewel beetles share most of their biological traits with their mundane counterparts, the most distinctive feature being their luxuriously jewel coloured wing cases. Because of a high variety between different individuals, some scholars have suggested that jewel beetles should not be seen as a one singular species, but more as an order, but this is still under a debate and more magiscientifical studies are needed. One feature that could suggest that different subspecies exist is that some types of jewel beetles have a marked sexual dimorphism, while others don't.

Growth Rate & Stages

Like their mundane counterpart, jewel beetles are endopterygotes, and as such, they undergo a complete metamorphosis, becoming adults after a pupal stage. 

Ecology and Habitats

Jewel beetles they interact with their ecosystems in several ways, feeding on the plants and fungi of The Faerie Wilds. They also break down animal and plant debris.

Conservation Status

Common in the Faerie Wilds, however, rare and only found in captivity in the mundane world.

Geographic Distribution

• The Faerie Wilds