#zopheridae

[herpsandbirds]

Texas Ironclad Beetle (Zopherus nodulosus), family Zopheridae, North TX, USA

photograph by Rory Harris

[bowelfly]

ironclad

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

The diabolical ironclad beetle's name is no joke! The exoskeleton of this species is made of tightly interlocked and impact-absorbing structures that allow it to withstand up to pressure of up to 39,000 times its own body weight!

(Image: A diabolical ironclad beetle (Phloeodes diabolicus) by David Kisailous)

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[pipunculidae]

I need to post more bug pics from field work eventually but in the meantime here’s an ironclad beetle

[cnestus]

some bugs i saw at work 9.VI.2022 - 14.VI.2022

[brittanyeburgard]

Nom nom! 🍫🍡🍭 I believe these to be diabolical Ironclad beetles (Zopheridae), busily chomping away at this adorable little white fungus. 🍄 Fungus eats log and is in turn eaten by beetle. It's glorious to see trees provide habitat, even in death.  #Zopheridae #ironcladbeetles #ironclad #Phloeodesdiabolicus #Phloeodes #nature #ecology #CalBG #fungus #beetle (at California Botanic Garden) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_OjGntA_gT/?igshid=1o7gn0fv627pg

[drhoz]

#1582 - Zopherosis georgii - Ironbark Beetle

Spotted by Julie Ward, in Eungella National Park near Mackay, Queensland, snacking on a fungus. I recognised it immeadiately, not because I’ve ever seen one before, and they certainly aren’t common, but there IS a superbly detailed illustration in the CSIRO’s Insects of Australia Vol. 2. 

Not much is known about their biology, but they are most often found on the branches of ironbark trees, to which they have a strong resemblance. One other common name is the Tim-tam Beetle, after the chocolate-covered biscuit.

The Zopheridae family now includes the Monommatidae and the Colydiidae, making a total of over 100 genera in the redefined family, and hundreds of species worldwide. Common names for some of the members include ironclad beetles, and cylindrical bark beetles. They often have very thick exoskeletons, which does not make pinning a specimen easy (hammers are required), and in the Yucatan individuals are bejewelled and bedazzled with fake gemstones, bric-à-brac and imitation gold, attached to a blouse by a small chain, and used as living brooches.  

[lycomorpha]

Ironclad Beetle (Zopherus sp.) by Jeff Gruber Via Flickr: Zopherus sp. Found at Rinconcito Lodge, south of Rincón de la Vieja National Park. Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica. Maybe Z. jansoni? Found on lichen-encrusted tree in parking area on lodge grounds. Single exposure, uncropped, handheld, in situ. Canon MT-24EX flash unit, Ian McConnachie diffuser.