The Brush Jewel Beetle: this beetle is covered in colorful tufts of "fur" that sprout up through its underlying shell
Above: Julodis cirrosa and Julodis viridipes
Beetles of the genus Julodis, otherwise known as the brush jewel beetles, are found only in southern Africa. Their bodies are covered in strange little tufts of wax-coated bristles, which are usually a vivid shade of orange, yellow or red, and the underlying shells often have a metallic, bluish-green sheen.
Above: close-ups of the bristles on Julodis viridipes, which also has a metallic blue shell
It's believed that the colorful appearance of these beetles may be aposematic, meaning that it deters predators by signaling that the beetle is chemically defended (i.e. toxic).
Above: the photos on the top and bottom right show Julodis viridipes, while the photo on the bottom left shows Julodis cirrosa
The beetles of this genus generally measure about 20-30mm (roughly 1 inch) long.
Above: Julodis viridipes
Sources & More Info:
Smithsonian Magazine: The World's Most Interesting Insects
Eyewitness Insect: Hairy Jewels
Insects, Spiders, and Other Terrestrial Arthropods: Julodis klugii
The Book of Beetles: Common Brush Jewel Beetle
Transactions of the South African Philosophical Society: Insects Injurious to Forest Trees in South Africa
Insects and Spiders: Brush Beetle (screenshot of page 36)
Australian Journal of Entomology: The Buprestins: Bitter Principles of Jewel Beetles (PDF)
