#asbolus verrucosus

[morbidsmenagerie]

Asbolus! I honestly think I prefer taking pictures in their tank than putting them in the light box tho.

[snototter]

A blue death-feigning beetle, or desert ironclad beetle (Asbolus verrucosus) in California, USA

by Robyn Waayers

[alienbath]

The beetle that plays dead the best is the Blue Death Feigning Beetles that can pretend they are dead for a few seconds to hours.

(Source: Blue zoo)

[musiclovingmoth]

gonna hand this out as a sticker at a con

[mirkwood-trash]

Was surprised to see these guys a week ago at Petco! Decided to go back today to get them ❤️ they're very cute and would prefer to crawl on my hands than their enclosure lol

[jenisis]

A kreature greets you on your travels

[pleistocene-pride]

Asbolus verrucosus better known as the desert ironclad beetle or blue death feigning beetle, is a species of darkling beetle native to southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, where it inhabits the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts. These primarily crepuscular omnivorous insects feed upon carrion (chiefly the carcasses of other insects), fungi, lichen, fruits, seeds, and other plant material. Blue death feigning beatles are known for their remarkable ability to play dead when they feel threatened by predators such as spiders, lizards, birds, and rodents, hence why they’re called death-feigning beetles. These beetles are also known to be remarkably well suited to there desert environment with multiple adaptations for heat resistance. One such is coating of wax on their exoskeleton which works to both prevent moisture loss and protect against solar radiation. Said wax coating is also what gives these beetles there distinctive steely blue coloration. Because of this higher humidity can cause the beetles to become darker in color. Reaching around .71 to .83 inches (18 to 21mm) in length from head to abdomen, males are slightly smaller than females, and have bristly red hairs on their antennae. The species name verrucosus, meaning 'warty', refers to the characteristic bumps on the beetle's elytra. Blue Death Feigning Beetles cannot fly (their wings are fused under their hard exoskeleton shell. Breeding often occurs during summer and blue death feigning beetles require specific soil and humidity conditions in which for both there eggs to hatch and larvae to pupate into adults, as such they are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity. If the burrowing meal worm like larvae successfully pupate into adult hood a blue death feigning beetle may live up to 8 years.

[uncharismatic-fauna]

RIP: The Blue Death-Feigning Beetle

Also known as the desert ironclad beetle, the blue death-feigning beetle (Asbolus verrucosus) is a species of darkling beetle native to the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of the southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. Within this environment, the desert ironclad beetle can often be found near vegetation like sagebrush or palo verde trees, or hiding under fallen logs or rocks. However, it's not uncommon to spot it trundling along out in the open.

While the blue death-feigning beetle's coloring might make it stand out against the dull desert background, it actually serves a useful purpose. The color is a result of a heavy coating of wax that covers the beetle's body; this wax helps reduce evaporation and preserves precious moisture. It also helps that A. verrucosus is a small species, no more than 8–21 mm (0.71–0.83 in), and as they are most active at dawn and dusk they are easy to overlook. Males and females are virtually identical; the most reliable way to tell the difference is by the antennae, as males have long bristles on the underside while females don't.

Despite their small size-- or perhaps because of it-- desert ironclad beetles are a popular snack for many other desert dwellers, including lizards, snakes, birds, small rodents, and foxes. When threatened, blue death-feinging beetles live up to their name: they drop to the ground, roll onto their backs and play dead. This state can last anywhere from a few seconds to 45 minutes. Once the predator is gone, they are able to use their long legs to easily right themselves and continue with their business. Like most other darkling beetles, this species is an omnivorous scavenger, feeding on dead insects, fruits, lichen, and other plant matter.

The desert ironclad beetle can mate year round, given optimal conditions such as good rainfall and plenty to eat, but they're most active during the summer months. Once a male encounters a female, he courts her by 'tickling' her back with his antennae. If she is receptive, the two mate and then part ways. The female digs a burrow and lays a clutch of eggs in moist soil, where they take 2-3 weeks to hatch. Once larvae emerge, they immedietly begin to seek out organic matter to feed on. Over the next several weeks, they can grow from 2-3 mm (0.07-0.11 in) to 50 mm (2 in)! When they get big enough the larvae burrow into rotting wood and pupate for about a month before emerging as adults. Individuals can go on to live for up to 10 years in the wild.

Conservation status: The IUCN has not evaluated the blue death-feigning beetle, but it's believed that populations are currently stable. The species' primary threat is collection for the pet trade.

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Photos

Mason S. via iNaturalist

Bruce D. Taubert

Hartmut Wisch

[beetlepassing]

tkk characters as bugs because i fucking love bugs ohhh my goddd

cw for creepy crawlies under the cut obviously

Daniel Larusso - twelve-spotted skimmer (libellula pulchella)

Johnny Lawrence - yellowjacket/common wasp (vespula vulgaris) (this one has the most thought behind it)

Chozen Toguchi - Hercules Beetle (dynastes hercules)

John Kreese - blue death feigning beetle (Asbolus verrucosus) (get it guys. death feigning)

Terry Silver - Tailless Whip Scorpion (amblypygi)

Kumiko - Mother-of-pearl butterfly (Protogoniomorpha duprei)

Ali Mills - honey bee (apis)

Jessica Andrews - velvet ant (dasymutilla occidentalis)

Julie pierce - Styrian praying lacewing (mantispa styriaca)

Mr. Miyagi - acorn weevil (curculio glandium) (heehee)

ok guys image limit uhhh maybe i'll make a part two. or even better just send a character in my askbox and i'll show off the bug. do not be shy bugs are my passion i will be very happy to answer. also if you have a better bug in mind for one of these characters go ahead and tell me how wrong i am and which one is better suitable

[noctin]

cuddle puddle (Asbolus verrucosus)

[morbidsmenagerie]

Beetle tank tour

[howlingdemon13]

My coworker just showed me pics of the Asbolus verrucosus - blue death feigning beetles - she bought. We like the same media and stuff (Castlevania and Beetlejuice specifically), so she knows that I like creepy crawlies, too.

And, oh my god, I need like 10 of these little guys!!!!

Look at how cute!!!!! Beautiful! A perfect creature!

Pic from the Wikipedia:

Fun fact: they get their common name because they play dead when threatened. Mood.

[beausbugbiome]

Blueberries 🫐💙

[toadalchaos]

blueberry discovered he loves pomegranate seeds and is also really bad at carrying them

[coolbugs]

Bug of the Day

Ahhhh the desert, where it’s warm, and there’s no snow (is that even true right now?). A girl can dream...

Anyway, please enjoy this desert ironclad beetle (Asbolus verrucosus) who is surely living in an environment about 50 degrees warmer than it is outside my door right now!

[charanchula]

My three little men have arrived! Tiny blue feigning death beetles! They’ve spent their time scurrying around in their new enclosure, they’re so cute!