Broad-nosed Weevil (Phyllobius arborator), family Curculionidae, Slovenia

photograph by Jaka Robnik

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

Ogyges toriyama and O. mutenroshii are two species of beetle belonging to the bessbug family. This group is unusual for its social behaviour, as adults build communal tunnels in which they lay their eggs and parents care for their young after they hatch. The two speiceis, O. toriyama and O. mutenroshii were discovered by Enio B. Cano in 2014 and named after the creater of the manga Dragon Ball and one of its principle characters, repectively.

(Images: [Left] A holotype of Ogyges Toriyama by Enio Cano, [Right] A photo of O. toriyama's namesake, Akira Toriyama, by AFP)

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RIP: The Blue Death-Feigning Beetle

Also known as the desert ironclad beetle, the blue death-feigning beetle (Asbolus verrucosus) is a species of darkling beetle native to the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of the southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. Within this environment, the desert ironclad beetle can often be found near vegetation like sagebrush or palo verde trees, or hiding under fallen logs or rocks. However, it's not uncommon to spot it trundling along out in the open.

While the blue death-feigning beetle's coloring might make it stand out against the dull desert background, it actually serves a useful purpose. The color is a result of a heavy coating of wax that covers the beetle's body; this wax helps reduce evaporation and preserves precious moisture. It also helps that A. verrucosus is a small species, no more than 8–21 mm (0.71–0.83 in), and as they are most active at dawn and dusk they are easy to overlook. Males and females are virtually identical; the most reliable way to tell the difference is by the antennae, as males have long bristles on the underside while females don't.

Despite their small size-- or perhaps because of it-- desert ironclad beetles are a popular snack for many other desert dwellers, including lizards, snakes, birds, small rodents, and foxes. When threatened, blue death-feinging beetles live up to their name: they drop to the ground, roll onto their backs and play dead. This state can last anywhere from a few seconds to 45 minutes. Once the predator is gone, they are able to use their long legs to easily right themselves and continue with their business. Like most other darkling beetles, this species is an omnivorous scavenger, feeding on dead insects, fruits, lichen, and other plant matter.

The desert ironclad beetle can mate year round, given optimal conditions such as good rainfall and plenty to eat, but they're most active during the summer months. Once a male encounters a female, he courts her by 'tickling' her back with his antennae. If she is receptive, the two mate and then part ways. The female digs a burrow and lays a clutch of eggs in moist soil, where they take 2-3 weeks to hatch. Once larvae emerge, they immedietly begin to seek out organic matter to feed on. Over the next several weeks, they can grow from 2-3 mm (0.07-0.11 in) to 50 mm (2 in)! When they get big enough the larvae burrow into rotting wood and pupate for about a month before emerging as adults. Individuals can go on to live for up to 10 years in the wild.

Conservation status: The IUCN has not evaluated the blue death-feigning beetle, but it's believed that populations are currently stable. The species' primary threat is collection for the pet trade.

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Photos

Mason S. via iNaturalist

Bruce D. Taubert

Hartmut Wisch

Variety of patterns in the Coccinellidae family

Hercules Beetle (Dynastes hercules)

This mega-beetle is the longest extant beetle species, as well as one of the largest flying insects in the world! Found in Central and South American rainforests, these rhinoceros beetles can reach a staggering seven inches in length, including the male's long horn.

Hercules beetles are highly sexually dimorphic, males setting themselves apart from females by the presence of a pair of horns extending forward from their head and prothorax. This species is polygynandrous, meaning that both males and females may mate with multiple partners over the length of the season. Their polygamous nature doesn't stop males from fighting for the right to mate with a female; they are known to engage in combat, where they attempt to wedge the other male between their horns before throwing them. Larger, stronger males are often victorious during this show of strength—there's a reason Hercules beetles are so big! These beetles can not only lift other beetles off the ground, but are known to be able to carry up to 85 times their weight!

Hercules beetle larvae are saproxylophagous, meaning their diet is composed of rotting wood. This makes them a beneficial species to rainforest ecosystems, as they assist with biodegradation and the recycling of nutrients into the ground. Adults feed mainly on fresh or rotting fruit, though they do not cause issues in the agricultural sector. In captivity, they may eat apples, peaches, grapes and pears.