Zopherus chilensis
Scientific classification Edit this 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

  1. ↑ Charles A. Triplehorn (1972). "A review of the genus Zopherus of the world (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)" (PDF). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 108: 1–20.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Charles A. Triplehorn (1972). "A review of the genus Zopherus of the world (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)" (PDF). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 108: 1–20.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Magazine, Smithsonian; Jaggard, Victoria. "Meet the Makech, the Bedazzled Beetles Worn as Living Jewelry". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hogue, Charles Leonard (1993-01-01). Latin American Insects and Entomology. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-07849-9.
  5. 1 2 "Do People Really Wear Live, Jewel-Encrusted Beetles as Brooches?". Snopes.com. Retrieved 2022-08-18.


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