The kings among beetles, aptly named ‘Rajah’, that is, Chrysochroa rajah, if not but for their beauty, hanging off an Indian Hazel nut tree’s leaf at Sharanyam. It is also called jewel beetle or metallic wood boring beetle, for its habit of laying eggs in the branches of trees.
The growing caterpillars tunnel through the pith of the branches, growing to size within the tree, emerging only to hang as chrysalis before turning into the jewel beetles of striking beauty. They are more awesome when they fly, as their undersides shimmer in incandescent gold!
