Zopherus chilensis
Species of beetle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.[1]
| Zopherus chilensis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
| Family: | Zopheridae |
| Subfamily: | Zopherinae |
| Genus: | Zopherus |
| Species: | Z. chilensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Zopherus chilensis Gray, 1832 | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
List
| |
Appearance
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.[1][2][3][4] The practice is at least a hundred years old.[4]
Life cycle, habitat, and diet
Z. chilensis lives in dead wood in arid forests and other similarly hot, dry, regions.[2][3] The larvae probably mine into this wood, and feed on fungus and lichen.[2][3] 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.[2][3]
