Zopherus chilensis
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]
Zopherus chilensis | |
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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
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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
![](../I/Zopherus_chilensis_sjh.jpg.webp)
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.