Jewel bugs
Scientific name: Scutelleridae
Jewel bugs
Scientific name: Scutelleridae
Description
Distinct for their brilliant, metallic shields, Scutelleridae are often mistaken for beetles. However, unlike beetiles that possess forewings modified into hard elytra, Scutelleridae bear toughened, yet flexible, scutellum - the shield that serves both as defense and an exaggerated display. One of the most captivating sides of their biology is their defensive tactic; when threatened, some species emit a foul odor as a deterrent.