Acmaeodera

Acmaeodera is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, a group of metallic wood-boring beetles favored by insect collectors. Whereas most beetles including most buprestids fly with their elytra held out and vibrating their hindwings to give lift and thrust, the Acmaedodera, however, fly with their hind wings only — the elytra are fused down the center and form a shield over the insect's abdomen, even during flight. This fact, combined with the banding across the abdomen which is common (though not universal) in this family, gives many of them a distinct wasp-like appearance when in flight. Several are therefore considered hymenopteran mimics.[1]

Acmaeodera
female A. viridaenea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Family:	Buprestidae
Tribe:	Acmaeoderini
Genus:	Acmaeodera Eschscholtz, 1829

Acmaeodera brooksi

Acmaeodera excellens

Acmaeodera louwi

Acmaeodera signata gaerdesi

Acmaeodera viridaenea