Oh my!! That is a specatcular insect, what lovely colors :)

Indeed, and quite variable from one individual to another in variations of burnished bronze, dark brown and gold, with white or brown hairs patches. The genus is taxonomically very challenging, and my use of the name is tentative.

Yes, a brilliant shot, kurakongolia. Nice find.

Thank you, I was on a quest.

Lovely shot of a great beetle

I would have assumed it a cup moth cocoon ... had no idea beetles caused galls (though on reflection am not sure I knew what might; just "insects")

Yes it's certainly very reminiscent of those; there's no preformed 'cap', the emerging beetle just chews its way through the top. At the larval stage the plant tissue inside is relatively soft and almost spongy.