Julodimorpha Explained

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

Species

• Julodimorpha bakewelli (White, 1859)
• Julodimorpha saundersii Thomson, 1878

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.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Genus Julodimorpha . Bellamy, C. L. . 2013 . A Checklist of World Buprestoidea . 7 Sep 2021.
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. Beetles on the Bottle: Male Buprestids Mistake Stubbies for Females (Coleoptera) . D. T. Gwynne, D. C. F. Rentz . 10.1111/j.1440-6055.1983.tb01846.x . . 22 . 1 . 79–80 . February 1983. 84325003 .
4. News: Beetle's beer bottle sex wins Ig Nobel Prize . September 30, 2011 . Jonathan Amos . . September 30, 2011.