Blue Death-feigning Beetle, Asbolus verrucosus

As their name implies, these beetles will readily play dead when disturbed. They are native to southwest USA and Central America. Also called the ironclad beetle, this species has a tough exoskeleton that looks like the texture of hammered iron. Death-feigning beetles are very long-lived, being reported to live up to 10 years in captivity. These beetles are plant eaters.

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