Jul 26, 2022
Euchroma gigantea
Giant metallic ceiba borer
Barrenador gigante metálico de la Ceiba
25 of July 2022 — Jalisco, MX
Absolutely gorgeous animal, although unfortunately found dead. I had no idea these existed. It’s quite robust too, it feels heavy to hold in your hand, like a smooth rock. Males of this species use their elytra to produce a clicking sound to attract females. They lay eggs on decomposing logs, and the larvae bore through fallen trees (including Ceiba), which is where their name comes from. Like termites, the larvae have a symbiotic relationship with bacteria in their guts to break down the cellulose from the wood they eat. Adults feed on leaves and pollen.
#bugs#bugs i found#Insecta#Coleoptera#Buprestidae#Euchroma#Euchroma gigantea#I’ll be visiting the area where it was found again#hopefully I can photograph a live one#if not I’m told there’s lots of scorpions in the area#I’ll try my best to find them and get some good pictures#dead bugs#original content
