Julodimorpha

Julodimorpha is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing the following species:[1]

Julodimorpha
Julodimorpha bakewelli from Australia
Scientific classification
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Julodimorpha

Gemminger & Harold, 1869

Species

Observations on mating behaviour

In 1983, entomologists Darryl Gwynne and David Rentz reported on male Julodimorpha saundersii (confused at that time with the closely related J. bakewelli[2]) observed attempting to copulate with discarded brown stubbies (a type of beer bottles) studded with tubercules (bobbly bits).[3] This work won them the 2011 Ig Nobel Prize in biology.[4] This is an example of a supernormal stimulus.

References

  1. Bellamy, C. L. (2010). "Genus Julodimorpha". A Checklist of World Buprestoidea. Retrieved 16 Jun 2011.
  2. Bellamy, C.L. & T. Weir. 2008. The reinstatement of Julodimorpha saundersii Thomson 1879 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) as a valid species. Zootaxa 1751: 46–54.
  3. D. T. Gwynne, D. C. F. Rentz (February 1983). "Beetles on the Bottle: Male Buprestids Mistake Stubbies for Females (Coleoptera)". Australian Journal of Entomology. 22 (1): 79–80. doi:10.1111/j.1440-6055.1983.tb01846.x.
  4. Jonathan Amos (September 30, 2011). "Beetle's beer bottle sex wins Ig Nobel Prize". BBC News. Retrieved September 30, 2011.


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