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.[1]
| Zopherus chilensis | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Zopheridae |
| Subfamily: | Zopherinae |
| Genus: | Zopherus |
| Species: | Z. chilensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Zopherus chilensis Gray, 1832
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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List
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Appearance
editZ. chilensis is described "muted gold"[2] to "dull white"[1] in colour, with black blotches or tubercles on its back.[1][3] It is the largest species in the genus Zopherus, and grows between 34 and 46 mm in length; 13 to 17 mm in width.[1][3]
As living brooches
editIn 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.[1][2][3][4] The practice is at least a hundred years old.[4]
Life cycle, habitat, and diet
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Z. chilensis lives in dead wood in arid forests and other similarly hot, dry, regions.[2][3] The larvae probably mine into this wood, and feed on fungus and lichen.[2][3] 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.[2][3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Charles A. Triplehorn (1972). "A review of the genus Zopherus of the world (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)" (PDF). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 108: 1–20.
- ^ a b c d e Magazine, Smithsonian; Jaggard, Victoria. "Meet the Makech, the Bedazzled Beetles Worn as Living Jewelry". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
- ^ a b c d e f Hogue, Charles Leonard (1993-01-01). Latin American Insects and Entomology. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-07849-9.
- ^ a b "Do People Really Wear Live, Jewel-Encrusted Beetles as Brooches?". Snopes.com. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
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