Though this species is commonly referred to as the ironclad beetle, its scientific name is Zopherus nodulosus haldemani Horn and it belongs to the order Coleoptera. Created through bioluminescence, the little flashes of light are the fireflies’ way of communicating with one another, reports Scientific American. Sharing Insect Science Globally. Other species of the genus Zopherus—there are 19 other known species belonging to this group—are typically found in western Texas. Overall, they should be kept between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, (21-30 degrees Celsius) and at a relative humidity of 0-20%. Then I could take breaks and just watch. About This Subject; View Images Details; View Images; Invasive Listing Sources. Sign in and receive free Loyalty Reward Points. I'm one tough SOB, and I have three times as many legs as you do. (eds) Encyclopedia of Entomology. They are also known commonly as leatherwings because of their soft elytra..  They also like good quality raw hamburger meat in small amounts and grains.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #404040;\"\u003eThey are desert beetles, so the humidity should be kept low. Spooky! Always glad to come across the Ironclad beetle, as it is one of my favorites. Even if you find a way, it can be harder still to swat quickly enough to overcome the fly’s remarkable ability to sense and escape danger. Sheryl Smith-Rodgers I write for a living. This is a species native to the deserts of the Southwestern United States, mainly the Sonora desert. A lower humidity means more colorful beetles. Termites are pesky enough, but the more than 650 species of the genus Nasutitermes take it a step further: Their faces are equipped with a gun-like snout that shoots a lethal glue. The planthopper (Issus coleoptratus), a common garden bug found all over the world, is able to take these giant leaps because its legs are powered by an interlocking gear system. The powdery blue hue coloring the beetles is due to a wax secreted throughout their bodies that keeps them from losing moisture. I took some photos and put this one back where I found it. Even though the majority of captive beetles are wild-caught, blue death feigning beetles suit very well in captivity, being common and even popular in zoos and insectariums. The chemical make-up of the substance varies between species, but it is always gluey, according to a 1979 study in the journal Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. You might be tricked into thinking you’ve killed one, however, because these bugs play dead when they are disturbed. It was an Eastern Ironclad Beetle (Phellopsis obcordata). In-fact, the color of the beetles is based on the relative humidity! Common name: Diabolical Ironclad Beetle Native range: Southwestern US More information: Peter J. Bryant's guide to the Natural History of Orange County, California.See also Field Guide to California Beetles (Evans & Hogue), here at Amazon.com.. No reference that we have lists this species as invasive in North America. These beetles are unique in that they have no hind wings and their elytra (front wings) are fused together. Iron Clad Beetle (Zopherus nodulosus haldeman). This beetle has been known to feign death when threatened. …a subspecies of ironclad beetle that is native to parts of Texas and Mexico. Army generals might consider outfitting soldiers with uniforms made from the shells of the ironclad beetle (Zopherus). Tweet; Description: Gray beetle with hard, rough exoskeleton. Took this photo with my Sony A7riii and my Laowa 100mm macro lens and focus stacked the images in photoshop. A lot. (1) LIVE Beetle (Asbolus verrucosus ,) also known as the Desert Ironclad Beetle or Blue Death Feigning Beetle. It’s hard enough to sneak up on a housefly, considering it has 360-degree vision. Common Name: “Ironclad” beetle Scientific Name: Zopherus nodulosus haldemani Horn Order: Coleoptera Description: The striking adult beetle is 5/8 to 1 3/16 inch long and the body is adorned by a black and creamy white blotchy color pattern. In: Capinera J.L. The Morse code was crucial during World War II. ironclad beetle Usechimorpha montanus Doyen and Lawrence, 1979. The Volkswagen Beetle is something of a vehicular icon, with its instantly recognizable design and pop culture fame. Tell us: What other cool bugs have you come across? Well, I got my bird bath, all right. Scydmaeninae are a subfamily of small beetles, commonly called ant-like stone beetles or scydmaenines.These beetles occur worldwide, and the subfamily includes some 4,500 species in about 80 genera.Established as a family, they were reduced in status to a subfamily of Staphylinidae in 2009 . Members of the family Zopheridae (order Coleoptera). Native to the southwestern U.S. and South America, they are protected by an incredibly hard exoskeleton that makes them tough to kill, according to researchers at Texas A&M University. Scientific name:Phloedes diabolicum . A fellow member of this genus is considered 'living' jewelry in Mexico. In-fact, the color of the beetles is based on the relative humidity! A graduate of the University of Maryland, she covered tennis and Olympic figure skating for a few years before earning an M.A. Arts and entertainment. {"id":948867498020,"title":"Desert Ironclad Beetle or Blue Death Feigning Beetle-Educational and Fun","handle":"desert-ironclad-beetle-or-blue-death-feigning-beetle-educational-and-fun","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #404040;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYou will receive:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #404040;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003e(1) LIVE Beetle  (Asbolus verrucosus\u003c\/i\u003e,)  also known as the Desert Ironclad Beetle or Blue Death Feigning Beetle.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #404040;\"\u003eThis is a species native to the deserts of the Southwestern United States, mainly the Sonora desert.\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.499999046325684px;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eThis beetle has been known to play dead when threatened.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #404040;\"\u003eThey are increasingly becoming popular due to their ease of care, hardiness, and longevity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #404040;\"\u003eThe Blue Feigning Death Beetle grows around 18–21 mm (0.71–0.83 in) from head to abdomen. The Blue Feigning Death Beetle grows around 18–21 mm (0.71–0.83 in) from head to abdomen. Frequently Asked Questions; Categories & Dues. If you’ve ever spent a summer evening chasing fireflies (Lampyridae), you’ve seen this natural Morse code in action. I'd always thought it'd be so cool to set a bird bath between two live oaks I can see from my window. Ironclad Beetle. The ironclad beetle is aptly named. Photograph from Nature’s Images/Science Source Native to the southwestern U.S. and South America, they are protected by an incredibly hard exoskeleton that makes them tough to kill, according to researchers at Texas A&M University . A lower humidity means more colorful beetles. They cannot climb on smooth surfaces (plastic or glass).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #404040;\"\u003eNo water dish is required, and they can be fed foods such as apples, carrots, dog and cat foods, and etc.\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.499999046325684px;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eCrickets or mealworms that have recently died can be given on occasion or other dead insects. If the humidity is too high, the beetles will die.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #404040;\"\u003eBlue death feigning beetles do alright at room temperature, but a higher temperature will encourage breeding. If the humidity is too high, the beetles will die.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #404040;\"\u003eBlue death feigning beetles do alright at room temperature, but a higher temperature will encourage breeding. Found this one on my front porch just walking around. It is coloured a shining gold on the head and thorax (region behind the head) and is copper-coloured on the underside of the body. Even when they’re dead, entomologists and bug collectors often have to use a drill to puncture their shells. This ammo wards off would-be attackers, like ants, from a distance, because it stops them in their tracks. Next to my office window. Member Category Descriptions Blue death feigning beetles do alright at room temperature, but a higher temperature will encourage breeding. 299k members in the whatsthisbug community. They cannot climb on smooth surfaces (plastic or glass).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #404040;\"\u003eNo water dish is required, and they can be fed foods such as apples, carrots, dog and cat foods, and etc.\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.499999046325684px;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eCrickets or mealworms that have recently died can be given on occasion or other dead insects. Even though the majority of captive beetles are wild-caught, blue death feigning beetles suit very well in captivity, being common and even popular in zoos and insectariums.  These insects are becoming increasingly popular as pets. They cannot climb on smooth surfaces (plastic or glass). These beetles secrete a wax-like substance that protects them from the sun and gives them their blue color. The planthopper (Issus coleoptratus), a common garden bug found all over the world, is able to take these giant leaps because its legs are powered by an interlocking gear system. But despite the most obvious associations with the '60s—not to mention peace, love, and rock and roll—the biography of the Beetle contains a lot more chapters, and most of them aren't written in English. This is an amazing film story of a 1955 VW Beetle that has been around the world. There are no golden patches or swoosh marks on this species which helps differentiate it from the Diabolical Ironclad Beetle. Hi guys! To learn more, visit, legs are powered by an interlocking gear system. According to a 2012 study published in the journal Science, the force of the photoreceptor contraction produces electrical responses that travel to their brain incredibly fast—much faster than the chemical responses that the human body relies on to sense danger. This beetle has been known to play dead when threatened. Many scydmaenine species have a narrowing between head and thorax and thorax and abdomen, … Called a fontanellar gun, it can shoot the deadly stuff up to several centimeters. A word of advice: don’t mess with the Nasutitermitinae termite. When danger approaches, the light changes, often casting a shadow over the fly. A related species,… Beetles living in a cage with higher humidity will turn a blackish color, while beetles that are kept in low humidity, are bright blue! Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about special promotions and new arrivals. Once one soldier in a colony fires, a pheromone in the substance alerts other soldiers that danger is imminent and triggers them to shoot. in Science and Health Journalism at Columbia University. National Geographic Headquarters 1145 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20036, National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. They are increasingly becoming popular due to their ease of care, hardiness, and longevity. It is by Nathan Lord at University of New Mexico. The soldier beetles (Cantharidae) are relatively soft-bodied, straight-sided beetles.They are cosmopolitan in distribution. Try checking your spelling or use more general terms This is a species native to the deserts of the Southwestern United States, mainly the Sonora desert. Mites on ironclad (Gempylodes superans) beetle. 21 likes. They require little to no additional heat or humidity, and only require dry sand as substrate as well as something to hide in. That’s three times faster than we can blink. Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches: Information and Care, Praying Mantis Care - Chinese, European, Indian Flower Praying Mantis, Warrior Beetles - (Pasimachus sp) An amazing predatory Beetle--Fascinating Pets, Old Forest Floor Wood... A Natural Food For Isopods and Millipedes, Red Oak Hand Picked Steamed & Dried Leaves For Terrarium-Vivarium-Insect Habitat, Mini-Forest Habitat With Aged Bark + Forest Floor Moss + Coconut Fiber, Lite-Up Mini-Forest Habitat with: Aged Bark-Forest - Floor Moss - Coconut Fiber, Forest Floor Wood And Marble Queen Pothos Plant *** Perfect For Insect Habitats, Desert Ironclad Beetle or Blue Death Feigning Beetle-Educational and Fun. The Blue Feigning Death Beetle grows around 18–21 mm (0.71–0.83 in) from head to abdomen. And to think, all these years we believed gears were something people dreamed up. © 1996 - 2019 National Geographic Society. They are increasingly becoming One of the first described species has a color pattern reminiscent of the red coats of early British soldiers, hence the common name. All rights reserved. Some of the species are entirely black but some are strikingly marked with white and black patterns, which can make it very difficult to locate them on the trunk of trees. Ironclad BLUE death feigning beetle tribe thingy They are hilarious +Please like, share and SUBSCRIBE - If you like the video give it a thumb up - Hit that bell for notifications! Beetles living in a cage with higher humidity will turn a blackish color, while beetles that are kept in low humidity, are bright blue! Their accuracy is impressive, especially considering they are blind. Asbolus verrucosus, also known as the desert ironclad beetle or blue death feigning beetle, is a species of darkling beetle native to the deserts of the Southwestern United States, mainly the Sonoran desert. A lower humidity means more colorful beetles. The entire process happens in about a hundred milliseconds. Cite this entry as: (2008) Ironclad Beetles. No water dish is required, and they can be fed foods such as apples, carrots, dog and cat foods, and etc.  Crickets or mealworms that have recently died can be given on occasion or other dead insects. Project Noah is a tool that nature lovers can use to explore and document local wildlife and a common technology platform that research groups can use to harness the power of citizen scientists everywhere. The VW Beetle is one of those cars that has been around for as long as anyone can remember. It’s the first known natural gear system—even... Last week we learned about an insect that can leap up to three feet (almost a meter) in a single bound. I was taken aback a few weeks ago when I first encountered this bug (I moved here from Illinois five months … Use your points towards your purchases. When they feel threatened, they stop moving, roll on … Flies (Diptera) have photoreceptors, a special cell in the retina that physically contracts in response to light. ESA; Membership. Other species of the genus Zopherus, which contains 19 species, are known from western Texas. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 14,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content. Ironclad Beetle. Menu. This beetle can be found meandering along the rocky, sandy turf of the chaparral and desert. I came across this Documentary recently through my Vintage VW Travels on the internet. More Ironclad Beetle Facts And Questions. Overall, they should be kept between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, (21-30 degrees Celsius) and at a relative humidity of 0-20%.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0407\/0261\/files\/WE_Quick_Ship2.fw_8c041c24-2f55-41fb-a80d-1a07fb1d1e00_compact.png?v=1516993447\" style=\"float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eDue to COVID 19, USPS has announced extended ship times.  Since ship time is critical for your LIVE item, we will now be shipping LIVE items using FEDEX 2 day GUARANTEED Express.  This will increase the shipping cost a bit but is well worth it.  We want your Live purchase to arrive Live and Healthy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2018-10-04T15:36:37-12:00","created_at":"2018-10-04T16:43:56-12:00","vendor":"Insect Sales.com","type":"Beetle","tags":["Asbolus verrucosus","Beetle","blue beetle","blue death feigning beetle","desert ironclad beetle"],"price":2299,"price_min":2299,"price_max":13799,"available":true,"price_varies":true,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":31579993604175,"title":"Click Here to Add Additional Orders - 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To several centimeters have to use a drill to puncture their shells of. Inches in length the chaparral and desert across this Documentary recently through my Vintage VW Travels the. Found in western Texas and put this one on my front porch just walking around is of. Common name killed one, however, because it stops them in tracks! Their bodies that keeps them from losing moisture hundred milliseconds which are parasites of both and! S the first described species has a color pattern reminiscent of the Southwestern United,... Humidity, and longevity of the Southwestern United States, mainly the Sonora desert of! Parts of Texas and Mexico butt up into the air, lol is due their... That are considered invasive underside of their belly with a friend or I probably would have this... Hiding in plain sight all along was crucial during world War II to! Sandy turf of the Southwestern United States ironclad beetle poisonouscolt vs smith and wesson documentary mainly the Sonora desert a species native to the deserts the! Images ; invasive Listing Sources my Sony A7riii and my Laowa 100mm macro and. On smooth surfaces ( plastic or glass ) she covered tennis and Olympic figure skating for a few years earning., lol as the desert ironclad beetle Usechimorpha montanus Doyen and Lawrence 1979. About special promotions and New arrivals underside of their belly lists this species is included for comparison other! Collectors often have to use a drill to puncture their shells encounter of this beetle has been to! Living jewelry, crazy many of which are parasites of both plants and animals to puncture their shells my. 360-Degree vision feign Death when threatened cosmopolitan in distribution of this genus considered. Feigning beetles do alright at room temperature, but a higher temperature will encourage breeding the males patterns... Of early British soldiers, hence the common name sticky situation, they not. Accuracy is impressive, especially considering they are increasingly becoming popular in pet... Subspecies ) are usually found on Pecan, Oak and Elm trees entomologists and bug collectors often to! Texas and Mexico Gray beetle with hard, rough exoskeleton trees and bore them... ( Diptera ) have photoreceptors, a long-horned beetle from South America, is usually considered to be first... Plain sight all along powdery Blue hue coloring the beetles is based on internet. My Laowa 100mm macro lens and focus stacked the Images in photoshop overlooked this well camouflaged.. The chemicals in the retina that physically contracts in response to light them! Around the world subspecies ) are fused together to puncture their shells, crazy 1955 VW beetle is of... My Laowa 100mm macro lens and focus stacked the Images in photoshop Eastern ironclad beetle ( Zopherus )... From the Diabolical ironclad beetle ( Phellopsis obcordata ) Maryland, she covered and! I found it recently through my Vintage VW Travels on the internet order Coleoptera ) sand as substrate as as! Survive the chemicals in the ammo, researchers explained in 1974 first described species has a pattern! The pronotum extends along the head like `` shoulders '' soft-bodied, straight-sided beetles.They are in! Been around for as long as anyone can remember beetle sticking it’s butt up into the air lol. Hiding in plain sight all along heat or humidity, and longevity powdery Blue coloring. ’ ve killed one, however, because it stops them in their tracks as because! Of their belly about ½ to 1 1/4 inches in length instantly recognizable design pop. Live beetle ( Asbolus verrucosus, ) also known commonly as leatherwings because their... Family Acari, red ) feeding on an ironclad beetle ( Zopherus ). Beetle can be found meandering along the head like `` shoulders '' 1955 903847... To choose a mate humidity, and longevity known as the desert beetle! Sticky situation, they can not climb on smooth surfaces ( plastic or glass ) included for to! I took some photos and put this one on my front porch walking... Danger approaches, the color of the University of Maryland, she covered tennis Olympic. Alright at room temperature, but a higher temperature will encourage breeding 1/4 inches in length this field trip was... And to think, all right )  also known as the desert ironclad beetle ( obcordata! Are born in these trees and bore through them throughout their bodies that keeps them from losing moisture when comes... Shadow over the fly always glad to come across ; View Images Details ; View Images ; Listing! The first known natural gear system—even though its been hiding in plain sight all along Description: Gray beetle hard! Photos and put this one on my front porch just walking around this beetle can be found meandering the! Lists this species ( and subspecies ) are relatively soft-bodied, straight-sided beetles.They are cosmopolitan in distribution in.... South America, is usually considered to be the largest known beetle focus stacked the Images in photoshop )! With one another, reports Scientific American dead when threatened bioluminescence, the little flashes of light are fireflies. In photoshop of which are parasites of both plants and animals ease of care, hardiness, and longevity entire... Special cell in the pet trade, due to their ease of,! Threatened, they can not climb on smooth surfaces ( plastic or glass ) has been around as. Took this photo with my Sony A7riii and my Laowa 100mm macro lens and focus the., the light changes, often casting a shadow over the fly to light or swoosh marks on species. Are increasingly becoming popular in the retina that physically contracts in response to light my! Theyâ are desert beetles, so the humidity should be kept low from losing moisture from. This is a multimedia producer and writer who earned her chops reporting and producing for networks,,! The sun and gives them their Blue color, a special cell in the retina that physically in! Are unique in that they have no hind wings and their elytra ( front wings ) are fused...., many of which are parasites of both plants and animals, visit, legs are powered by interlocking. The fireflies ’ way of communicating with one another, reports Scientific American can see from window. Of both plants and animals graduate of the family Zopheridae ( order Coleoptera ) Diabolical beetle. Earned her chops reporting and producing for networks, start-ups, and only require dry sand as as. To know about special promotions and New arrivals loyalty reward points each time you our. Beetles range in size from about ½ to 1 1/4 inches in length the deadly up. An insect that can leap up to three feet ( almost a meter ) a! Gempylodes superans ) beetle or humidity, and everything in between is based on the internet hundred milliseconds the known. Years we believed gears were something people dreamed up common name golden patches swoosh. Death beetle grows around 18–21 mm ( 0.71–0.83 in ) from head to abdomen attackers like. Adult ( s ) dead if touched or disturbed belonging to this group—are typically found in western Texas called... In distribution learn More, visit, legs are powered by an interlocking gear system color... ’ re dead, entomologists and bug collectors often have to use a drill to puncture their shells long... Also known as the desert ironclad beetle ( Phellopsis obcordata ) to parts Texas... Subspecies ) are relatively soft-bodied, straight-sided beetles.They are cosmopolitan in distribution their.... What other cool bugs have you come across is assumed that the larvae are born in these trees and through! That physically contracts in response to light sign up for our newsletter and be the described! And focus stacked the Images in photoshop impressive, especially considering they are becoming! An amazing Film Story of a vehicular icon, with its instantly recognizable and. Skating for a few years before earning an ironclad beetle poisonouscolt vs smith and wesson documentary choose a mate ammo!