#zopherus

[herpsandbirds]

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

photograph by Rory Harris

[noovorous]

Beetles that des Eseeintes would keep:

Zopherus beetles would enable him to realise the project he attempted with a turtle with far greater success. Those beetles are frequently used in Mexico as living brooches, fake jewels glued onto them as well as a chain to pin to your clothing. Jean des Esseintes would definately glue some semi-precious stones to their exoskeletons and then enjoy a terrarium full of shining creatures. Perhaps he'd even wear one as a brooch.

Musk beetle (Aromia moschata) not only glimmers like a piece of stained glass in a cathedral, it also emits a musk like scent. That little gentleman is born a dandy already clothed and perfumed.

Madagaskar Giraffe Weevils (Trachelophorus giraffa) would be in eyes of many decadents a delightful display of unorthodox beauty. They move in a manner more reminescent of a clockwork toy than of a living creature and I think this appearance of artificiality would be so alluring to aesthetes and decadents.

With that being said I'm afraid a beetle collection in hands of duke des Esseintes would share the fate of his flowers, that is die of neglect as soon as he experiences his next period of malady.

[addicted2wasps]

A blast from the past. This concept is from 2009. The original drawing from that time was given to someone who works at the CNC, (Canadian National Collection). I decided to redraw it for my dad (because he loved it so much) for the sake of having a current version. Ironclad beetle laying down the law to stop the invasiveness of the Asian Longhorn Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer in North America. It was quite a hot topic back then, which explains why I drew it in the first place. It's almost embarrassing to share this, but I still had fun creating it. Yes, I know that technically, ironclad beetles are unable to fly, and the ALB + EAB could just fly away, but seeing as they're handcuffed, might restrain their ability to get away. I was very young when I initially had this idea, and I wasn't fully considering the nature of the beast. I think I chose Zopherus as a Policeman because they have a VERY tough exoskeleton, (good luck trying to stick a pin through one). My mind was and still is a weird place. Lol. I hope it makes someone smile, anyway.

[platycryptus]

Ironclad beetle (Zopherus nodulosus haldemani). Austin, Texas, 10/14/19.

this bug is insane. Its exoskeleton is so tough, if you try to pin a dead one, the pin will just bend. It can only be pierced with a small electric drill.

It’s immune to being stomped on or otherwise crushed with human force, and I’ve even read multiple anecdotes that they can survive being run over by a car.

They were originally called ironclad beetles just because their exoskeleton is so hard, but analysis has shown that their shell actually does contain iron- in addition to calcium, manganese and zinc.

Structure-Property Relations of the Exoskeleton of the Ironclad Beetle (<i>Zopherus nodulosus haldemani</i>) - ProQuest

Many invertebrates (including insects, polychaete worms and mollusks) have metal- reinforced jaws or other body parts, but this is the most metal in one animal that I’m aware of... no wonder it’s basically indestructible.

[dezainnet]

NASAが主催した3Dプリント技術を利用した火星の住宅設計コンペの受賞者を発表 (dezeen) NASA announces winners of competition to design 3D-printed habitat for Mars (dezeen)

[lycomorpha]

Ironclad Beetle (Zopherus nodulosus haldemani) by Jeff Gruber Via Flickr: Zopherus nodulosus haldemani Horn, 1870. Found at Bastrop State Park in central Texas, ESE of Austin. Bastrop County, Texas, USA. This individual was found at base of large living pine (loblolly?) tree next to one of the paths in the park. Single exposure, uncropped, handheld, in situ. Canon MT-24EX flash unit, Ian McConnachie and plastic cup diffuser.

[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.

[ivanbravo-blog-blog]

Un Maquech, Genus: Zopherus #zopherus #coleoptera #entomology #escarabajo #LaSandíaRanch