The term brush jewel beetle is used often to describe several varieties of wingless insects, which are common across southern parts of Australia, New Zealand and Asia. It's name probably comes from the long, bristle-like bristles on its antennae. This large and pesky insect was only discovered on the coastal west side of the south-west cape in early winter. It does not appear to have wings, however. It has a flat, brown body covered with a creamy, white belly, and has a black dot-shaped head.
These beetles are very similar to some well known ant species, such as the Brown Recluse or Antennaburry. However, they differ in that they do not have wings and their body shapes are very distinct. They are sometimes confused with the leafhopper (Mycerinus capitis), which has a very long abdomen, very small fore wings and very large hind wings. Unlike the leafhopper, however, these beetles have a very short tail.
They are often found in houses and buildings where there are humans or domestic animals, such as dogs and cats. They also tend to be found in large, wooded areas. There is one kind which is larger than other kinds, and it may reach up to two inches in length. These beetles are generally found in forests; they may also be found in grasslands, along the sides of cliffs and in gardens. The most common places where you will find them are in moist, decaying, sandy and damp areas.
The females lay eggs which will hatch in two months. The larvae (caterpillars) will emerge after twelve weeks. The pupae will be covered with a powdery coat and they will look like ordinary dandelions, however, they will be darker in coloration. As they grow, the baby beetles will become dark brown or black.
They are not as dangerous as other household insects; however, they can be a nuisance. They will scratch and chew anything they can find in their path and they will also bite on things such as human skin, clothes, shoes, furniture, window sills, plants and others. They may appear ugly but they are also capable of producing wonderful patterns and designs. You will be able to recognize them by looking at the pattern on their body; this includes lines and stripes along with circles and swirls.
Their favorite place to hide is in houses that are constructed without any kind of screen. They are not attracted to light so they do not usually appear during the day. During the night, if they are trying to look for a source of heat, they will move toward open areas, crawl around under furniture and even inside walls. They need to have somewhere warm to live during the wintertime, and they will seek a dark, cool place to rest during the summer.
One of the reasons why they are so difficult to eliminate is because they are not picky about what they eat. They are actually particular about what they like to feed on so one mistake and you will be sure to have a problem. For one thing, you should refrain from giving them any kind of vegetation like cacti because they will devour these very quickly. There is no way to get rid of these insects so you might have to try a natural method or use pesticides to get rid of them.
The most effective way to get rid of the brush jewel beetle is to locate and remove the food source. This is usually done by finding the food source and then sealing it so that it cannot be reused. You can seal it in place using plastic or metal containers. You should then call in an exterminator and let them take care of the problem.
