Simulated Jewel Beetle vs Cuban Laurel Thrips

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Simulated Jewel Beetle Cuban Laurel Thrips
Scientific Name Castiarina simulata Gynaikothrips ficorum
Order Coleoptera Thysanoptera
Family Buprestidae Phlaeothripidae
Size 8-12 mm 2.5-3.0 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Herbivores
Regions Australia Asia, North America, South America, Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Simulated Jewel Beetle

A small jewel beetle with variable yellow and black banded patterning on its elytra. It is found in eucalypt habitats across southern and western Australia.

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Did You Know?

Its color pattern closely mimics that of unrelated wasp species to deter predators.

Cuban Laurel Thrips

A large dark thrips that causes leaf rolling on Ficus species. Colonies live inside the rolled leaves they create.

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Did You Know?

Entire colonies of hundreds of individuals live communally inside a single rolled fig leaf.