“Phyllis” the tortoise beetle

Scientific name: Apidae euglossini
Geographic location: Lincoln, NE
Artist: Jessa Huebing-Reitinger
Medium: Oil on canvas 48” x 36” 2006
Performance venue: Home studio
Collection of: Dr. Leon Higley

The specimen for Phyllis was provided by Dr. Leon Higley from the University of Nebraska. This beautiful beetle makes its color in a unique way. Its wing covers (called elytra) have layers that reflect only certain wavelengths of light. It can change the size of these layers so that different colors of light are reflected and the beetle seems to change color, from gold to metallic blue and green. When it dies, the layers compress and the bright colors disappear completely.

This species of beetles are commonly found throughout the Midwestern USA and are as small as a popcorn seed. Phyllis is the smallest specimen used for an insect portrait to date.

Jessa’s favorite part of painting Phyllis was the transparent rim of the outer wing case and her iridescent glow of metallic gold.