An extraordinary jewel beetle species (Perotis unicolor (Olivier, 1790)) from Northeastern Algeria: re-discovery of this species in North Africa after more than half a century

Abstract

Jewel beetles (Buprestidae), also known as metallic wood-boring beetles, predominantly inhabit forest environments. Several taxa within this family hold heritage status in both broadleaf and conifer forests. The larvae of most species undergo development within the inner, living part of tree bark, while some species can behave as opportunistic pests, causing considerable damage to weakened host trees. Notably, in Algeria, Lamprodila festiva on Barbary thuja (Tetraclinis articulata), and Agrilus biguttatus on oak trees were recognized as significant pests. Given the potential impact of climate change on forest jewel beetles, there were two key concerns: i) many of these species prefer warmer climates, making them thermophilic, and shifts in temperature patterns can affect their distribution and abundance, ii) following severe droughts, forest declines and diebacks may occur, offering an opportunity for these beetles to exploit weakened trees. In the context of this study, a Buprestidae (Coleoptera) species was re-discovered in the northeastern region of Algeria within holm oak (Quercus ilex) shrub lands, Perotis unicolor (Olivier, 1790). This is an important finding as it has not been reported in the fauna of North Africa for more than half a century.