Zopherus chilensis

Zopherus chilensis
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Infraorder:	Cucujiformia
Family:	Zopheridae
Subfamily:	Zopherinae
Genus:	Zopherus
Species:	Z. chilensis
Binomial name
	Zopherus chilensis; Gray, 1832
Synonyms[1]
	List Megazopherus chiliensis, Casey, 1907 ; Megazopherus chilensis, Casey, 1907 ; Zopherus bremei Guerin-Meneville, 1844 ; Zopherus chiliensis Champion, 1884 ; Zopherus insignis Blanchard, 1861 ; Zopherus Moreletii (nomen nudem), Lucas, 1852 ;

Zopherus chilensis, also commonly known as the ma'kech or jewelled bug, is a species of ironclad beetle in the family Zopheridae. Despite the name "chilensis", nearly all of the known specimens have been found from Mexico to Venezuela.[2]

Appearance

Z. chilensis is described "muted gold"[3] to "dull white"[2] in colour, with black blotches or tubercles on its back.[2][4] It is the largest species in the genus Zopherus, and grows between 34 and 46 mm in length; 13 to 17 mm in width.[2][4]

As living brooches

In the Yucatán Peninsula, locals collect specimens of Z. chilensis and attach to their backs rhinestones, pearls, chenille, and small baubles. The beetle is then attached to a small golden leash and worn as jewellery or, more frequently in modern times, sold to tourists.[2][3][4][5] The practice is at least a hundred years old.[5]

Life cycle, habitat, and diet

Z. chilensis lives in dead wood in arid forests and other similarly hot, dry, regions.[3][4] The larvae probably mine into this wood, and feed on fungus and lichen.[3][4] Adults are found underneath bark and logs, and are noted for their ability to survive for long periods of time with little or no food.[3][4]

References

Charles A. Triplehorn (1972). "A review of the genus Zopherus of the world (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)" (PDF). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 108: 1–20.
Charles A. Triplehorn (1972). "A review of the genus Zopherus of the world (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)" (PDF). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 108: 1–20.
Magazine, Smithsonian; Jaggard, Victoria. "Meet the Makech, the Bedazzled Beetles Worn as Living Jewelry". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
Hogue, Charles Leonard (1993-01-01). Latin American Insects and Entomology. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-07849-9.
"Do People Really Wear Live, Jewel-Encrusted Beetles as Brooches?". Snopes.com. Retrieved 2022-08-18.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[1] Charles A. Triplehorn (1972). "A review of the genus Zopherus of the world (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)" (PDF). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 108: 1–20.

[CAT-2] Charles A. Triplehorn (1972). "A review of the genus Zopherus of the world (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)" (PDF). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 108: 1–20.

[:0-3] Magazine, Smithsonian; Jaggard, Victoria. "Meet the Makech, the Bedazzled Beetles Worn as Living Jewelry". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-18.

[:1-4] Hogue, Charles Leonard (1993-01-01). Latin American Insects and Entomology. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-07849-9.

[:2-5] "Do People Really Wear Live, Jewel-Encrusted Beetles as Brooches?". Snopes.com. Retrieved 2022-08-18.