Image © Norman Day. Please do not reproduce without permission.
(High quality original available - please enquire)

The underside (recto) of Howdenypa (= Argyripa) gloriosa. Endemic to Colombia, this exceptionally rare cetonid beetle is absent from most national entomological collections.... and very few ....such as this specimen .....are owned privately ... (LUCKY ME!!!). Body length=18mm. I have deliberately illuminated the subject from one side (using light coming through my patio doors from the right ... as can be seen in the reflection of the beetle's eye) to try an emphasise the orange iridescense that can only be seen at a certain angle.... hence the darker left side of this image.