On a biweekly basis after the beetles mate, take out the substrates at the nursery corner and look for the eggs. Research source. http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/bimg170.html. Photo: University of California, Irvine John Elder Science Editor Share Despite its name, the 'diabolical ironclad beetle' isn't in league with the devil. A fellow member of this genus is considered 'living' jewelry in Mexico. Do not use a dirt-based substrate. The eggs should hatch in 2-3 weeks time. They have a tendency to play dead when they are stressed or bothered. They cannot fly, and they can grow to just over an inch long. Catching, trapping, importing, trading, keeping, breeding, and releasing of arthropods and/or other exotic pets may require a permit. They are also found in Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and other Western states like California. A 1 gal container can house 2 beetles. As the beetles aged, the wax wears out and the beetles become darker in color. We have lots more on the site to show you. I finally had success in finding a food source for my ironclad. The horned dung beetle can pull items that represent more than 1,000 times its own body weight. Arachnoboards.com is the Internet's largest forum community for invertebrate hobbyists of all types! They can do that, researchers discovered, thanks to hardened casings on each wing that interlock and support . However, we do know a few things. This insect remains a mystery for many researchers. Adult beetles are thought to feed on lichens growing on trunks of these trees. To keep the lichen fresh and tasty, mist it with some water 3 times per week. Hence, you do not have to provide them water. The blue death feigning beetles do not fly, and they do not climb well on smooth surfaces. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'xtraordinarypets_com-box-4','ezslot_6',171,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-xtraordinarypets_com-box-4-0'); They are happy with carrots and other vegetables as well. That means it can be run over by a car and live to tell the tale. What does it mean when my beetle does not move for hours after I bought it? simply by stepping on it or trying to squash it with your weight. They feed on decaying organic matter and pupate when the humidity and temperature are conducive. Beetles make up a large portion of the animal kingdom. The diabolical ironclad beetle has puzzle piece-like blades in its abdomen that "delaminate" to prevent the beetle's exoskeleton from suddenly failing under immense force. Mite damage usually manifests in brown spots on leaves. This site is owned and operated by Haomaru. Ironclad beetle, Zopherus nodulosus haldemani Horn (Coleoptera: Zopheridae). Some beetles in this species have no white spots at all and are instead all black. Very little is known about most species in the subfamily. For more info check out my about page https://schoolofbugs.com/about-steve-foster/. The diabolical ironclad beetle can take on a load of at least 39,000 times its body weight. While its thought that their main food source is found on a tree trunk, this beetle has also been found clinging to the outer walls of homes in wooded areas. Do I need to be worried that it could bite? Beetles that eat plants and crops are called herbivores. Other species of the genus Zopherusthere are 19 other known species belonging to this groupare typically found in western Texas. Using steel plates, the team of researchers discovered that the creature can take an applied force of 150 newtons - some 39,000 times its body weight - before its exoskeleton starts to fracture. In a study published Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020,. In the winter, I would use a heat mat to provide them additional heat during the day time. It's covered with a blue wax layer that protects it from direct sunlight, which gives the beetle its usual blue color. Its exoskeleton (integument) is extremely hard. 1) has an impressively tough exoskeleton allowing it to survive attacks from predators, being stomped on by hikers . The species is becoming increasingly popular in the pet trade, due to their ease of care, hardiness, and longevity. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Keep reading to learn how to choose the best foods for your beetles! The hairs on the antennae of the female beetles are tiny and barely noticeable. If you live in the South-Western United States, then finding blue death feigning beetles could be an option for you. Manage Settings Adult beetles have been collected from trunks of oak trees in the College Station, Texas area. You can look for them in sandy desert areas. Scientists reveal how diabolical ironclad beetle can bear huge weights by Nicola Davis Science correspondent. Dean Ryder cracked the code on this one. One of the toughest exoskeletons of any insect, and it can withstand forces close to 40,000 times its body weight - the same amount of force . We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Blue death feigning beetles have been reported to live for up to 17 years in captivity. Bury a few cut carrots or squash at that corner and spray some water to keep that corner slightly moist but not wet. P.jasonius;881530 It is assumed to eat lichens growing on trees said: outside of collecting this what can I substitute as a food source?[/U]. If you prefer to have a lid, be sure its ventilated so air can flow in and out of the cage. In a time where so much is known about insect species, the ironclad beetle is known to stump many individuals looking to know more. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. JavaScript is disabled. Keep the beetles at room temperature and low humidity. If you are going to raise these, be ready to do it for a long time. It can accumulate on the beetles' feet and become hazardous to their health. They do not require additional humidity and would suffice with a dry sand substrate. However, the female might not lay eggs if she cannot find a suitable spot to do so. Their bumpy Make sure you provide enough food for the beetles. Lower humidity means more colorful beetles. To encourage the female to lay eggs, you need to mix some pesticide-free organic compost and coco fiber in the sand (at around 1:1:3 ratio) at a corner of your housing. You can buy a food dish from a pet store or use a small overturned lid as a food dish. Other species of the genus Zopherusthere are 19 other known species belonging to this groupare typically found in western Texas. Always check with your local authorities for the requirements, and comply with it. Though the ironclad beetle is known to be a tough bug to kill, they aren't insects to be fearful of, as they typically don't attack or bite humans. One important factor to note, though, is that although the beetle is often found near decaying plant matter, is not known to damage live plants. Read more at The Guardian. Check out this post which is one of the most popular of all time. Although the ironclad beetle definitely lives up to its name, donning the hardest exoskeleton of any other arthropod, its strength isnt in this carrying capacity. Clearly, all that armoring pays off, because most beetles only live for about three years at the most, and much of that time is spent as larvae. The adulttarantula hawk paralyzes its prey (an unsuspecting tarantula) and lays eggs so that its small-but-mighty larvae can eat the much-larger spider alive. What about the second? While I am trying more variety of insects I notice the information or guides in the internet are quite scattered. A compression test revealed the diabolical ironclad beetle can withstand a force of 39 thousand times its own body weight. Harvesting blades can also be dulled when going over fire ant hills. This is an Ironclad Beetle in the genus Phloeodes.. Instead, they feed on mostly fresh and rotting plant materials. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Most importantly, unlike other beetles, it can live for many years. % of people told us that this article helped them. . This beetle is only 2 cm long, or under an inch, but can survive a force of 149 newtons. Very excited to have these lovely little creatures in my home. Although every ironclad beetle has the same hard shell, the pattern on each isnt always the same. If you do think you have killed one, chances are youve been fooled, since the ironclad beetle is known to play dead when they are disturbed. You can also increase the ventilation in the habitat by removing the lid of the habitat, if you have one. In captivity, people have successfully kept them on dog and cat foods, vegetables, fruits, shrimps, lichen, and even dead insects. The gentler you handle them, the less likely the play dead. WATCH: The diabolical ironclad beetle . The exoskeleton of this beetle has a much higher concentration of. If you do think you have killed one, chances are youve been fooled, since the ironclad beetle is known to play dead when they are disturbed. This will be the nursery corner. You were doing yard work on a Saturday morning when you noticed a bug unlike any you had ever seen before. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Asbolus verrucosus (desert ironclad beetles or blue death-feigning beetles) beetle on desert driftwood. Scientists believe that . Obviously, you will need a male beetle and a female beetle to breed them. They need some light. 0:30 This beetle's exterior is so strong it can get run over by a car and still survive. Evolution has given the insect an exterior. You might need a bigger housing so that it is easier to limit the moisture at one corner, big enough for eggs laying, while providing enough dry area for the activities of other beetles. Jesus Rivera / UCI) IRVINE, Calif. - With one of the more awe-inspiring names in the animal kingdom, the diabolical ironclad beetle is one formidable insect. Insects, Other Invertebrates & Arthropods. Measuring just 5/8 to 1 3/16 inches in length, the adult ironclad beetle gets its name from its extremely hard and durable exoskeleton thats covered in off-white and black colored spots. Many beetles have wings, or more specifically, modified wings. One important factor to note, though, is that although the beetle is often found near decaying plant matter, is not known to damage live plants. Being native to the desert means this species is hardy and is able to withstand prolonged periods of dryness, hot temperature (hot day in desert) or cold temperature (cold night in desert). These beetles can live for up to about eight years in some circumstances, which is far longer than other beetles. Learn more Blue death feigning beetles, sometimes also called ironclad beetles, are native to the American southwest. This adaptation makes sense, as the insects distinctive and bright color would otherwise attract the attention of any animals that might decide the beetle would be a tasty snack. Youve ensured that it has the right soil, the right amount of sun, it gets enough water. The beetles do not need any lighting. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Some people have suggested that the ironclads decoration is supposed to mimic bird droppings, making the insects harder to see. Upgrade to an Arachnosupporter account. Finding tiny black bugs in your bathroom can be uncomfortable, to say the least. Some only eat plant materials. Remote-control cyborg beetle developed by scientists Using compressive steel plates, the research team found that the diabolical ironclad beetle can take on an applied force of about 150. The black pecan aphid and yellow aphid can damage pecan leaves by removing sap. The ironclad beetles are a small subfamily of beetles found mostly in North and Central America, with a few species found in South America. BDFBs are also called Ironclad Beetles because of how strong their exoskeletons are. Using a non-LED white lamp as lighting also helps to make the temperature higher. [9] Method 3 Feeding 1 Make sure the beetles always have fresh fruit. For starters, if you stand on an ironclad beetle, you have almost no chance of killing it. It is found in deserts of western North America, where it lives on fungi growing under tree bark. They can't fly, right? In fact it does no harm - unlike carpet beetles that chew on fabrics, and weevils that ruin food. The first is that the exoskeleton is made up of impact-absorbing, tightly interlocked structures. They are known to eat fungi though little else is known about their life cycle. The blue death feigning beetles are scavenger. The light can be turned on at day time when the beetles are active, and off at night when the beetles are resting. They simply cannot tackle them. This characteristic has earned the insect the common name blue death-feigning beetle. Researchers have discovered that the diabolical ironclad beetle can take on a load of at least 39,000 times its body weight before its exoskeleton begins to fracture. These beetles secrete a wax-like substance that protects them from the sun and gives them their blue color. Beetles make up a large portion of the animal kingdom. You could also run these beetle over with a car and it would be likely to survive. In some cultures, these beetles are sold as living jewelry. . The blue death feigning beetles can live for around 8 years and more in captivity, unlike other beetles that can only live for a few months up to a year. This beetle family (Zopheridae) is closely related to Tenebrionidae. So, what makes the ironclad beetle so special? Some five years later, he and his colleagues have figured out how this unbreakable bug earned its colloquial name: the diabolical ironclad beetle. If you have a lot of beetles, and they are eating all the fruit you give them within 2 days, give them a couple of extra pieces. The color of the beetles is based on the relative humidity. Fire ant mounds can also interfere with harvesting pecans because mowing equipment can get damaged by dirt that becomes lodged in parts when mowers go over larger mounds. Compare the beetle to an egg if it had an interlocking mesh shell, suggested Rivera, wherein the . I am Haomaru. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Pest Status: Found in the central portion of Texas and south into Mexico; not known to damage live plants and is medically harmless. Blue death feigning beetles come from a desert environment, so they are quite used to not having access to large amounts of drinking water. While the beetles can withstand starvation for up to 2 to 3 months, you should always provide them with sufficient food. While the blue death feigning beetles are hardy, you should always handle them with care. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'xtraordinarypets_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',184,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-xtraordinarypets_com-medrectangle-4-0'); The adult blue death feigning beetles can be housed in a fish tank or any plastic/glass/acrylic container. Keep the incubators humidity at 75-80% by adding water tray, and temperature at 88 F (31 C). Some species spend the winter as pupae; others emerge to spend the winter in the water as adults. They can cohab with other desert beetles such as darklings and blue death feigning beetles. That's more impressive than sounds: A car tire would apply a force of about 100 newtons if running over the . I just saw another one a few days ago. There are 19 species of this beetle, so there are quite a few variations in how they look. The beetle can continue with life as normal, and will not be worse off for being trodden on or crushed. When we talk about strong insects, most of us immediately think of ants. You may want to invest in a heater if the temperature drops below 70 degrees. These beetles also do not need water dishes since they eat fruits and even cat and dog food. The diabolical ironclad beetle (Phloeodes diabolicus) lives under the bark of oak and other trees in the western United States, feasting on fungi growing there. They do have an unusually long lifespan, living up to 17 years in captivity, so be prepared for the long commitment if you plan to adopt a few. They are extremely difficult to kill in a killing jar and several hours may be needed for success. I can't believe the survivability of these beetles. If youd rather keep plants as decoration and not beetle food, try adding fake plants instead. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Be careful when spraying because you do not want to wet all the sands in your housing. Wild Diet Omnivorous scavengers, rotting plants, animals and seeds Zoo Diet Fruit, particularly apples Conservation . While you may be interested to learn more about the ironclad beetle, once you discover that this insect will pose no danger to your trees, your initial concerns will face. In these regions, researchers have found that these bugs are only active during certain times of the year. These protrusions have layers of tissue that are extremely damage-resistant, made up of protein. Ironclad beetles, a native of California, can withstand nearly 40,000 times their body weight and can grow to be more than four feet long. This adaptation makes sense, as the insects distinctive and bright color would otherwise attract the attention of any animals that might decide the beetle would be a tasty snack. And its design, they say, could help inspire more durable structures and vehicles. Hellburnt Diabolical Ironclad Beetles - group of 3. While I was trying to keep different species, I notice the information in the internet are quite scattered. All rights reserved. Be careful to not make the habitat too crowded with decorations. The beetles are crepuscular, being most active at dawn and dusk. This insect's rugged exoskeleton is so tough that the beetle can survive getting run over by cars. 422. This is the 'diabolical ironclad beetle' ( Nosoderma diabolicum, formerly Phloeodes diabolicus ), found in the southwestern USA. Though the ironclad beetle is known to be a tough bug to kill, they arent insects to be fearful of, as they typically dont attack or bite humans. The role of interlocking patterned interfaces is investigated for both boxfish carapace and Ironclad beetle cuticle. Sonoran deserts and Mojave deserts. You can usually detect signs of damage if a trees leaves develop bright yellow spots. The shape of the ridges varies along the beetles body, and near the front of the beetle, they are extremely tough and unyielding. They do not drown easily, for example. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Rainbow Dung Beetle as Pet: A Guide for Beginners. Instead, they, feed on mostly fresh and rotting plant materials. These beetles will not bite, and are perfectly safe to hold in your hands. They are extremely difficult to kill in a killing jar and several hours may be needed for success. New Scientist says, "Near-uncrushable beetle's exoskeleton could inspire tough structures.". In Texas specifically, ironclad beetles are found in the east-central regions of the state. These guys are super easy to care for and make great pets. The ironclad beetle, however, belongs to the Zopheridae family within the genus and is closely related to the Tenebrionidae family. Second, pupation requires you to maintain specific temperature and humidity. They are a real example of just how amazing nature can be, and the cleverness with which it develops in the fight to survive. The study of the Ironclad Beetle was part of an Air Force-funded study that was designed to look for designs in nature that could help inform the development of more impact resistant designs. It is whitish and oval in shape. However, many ironclad beetles are black and white, making them extremely distinctive and quite eye-catching. Although most beetles are tough and have rigid exoskeletons that can withstand some pressure, very few can withstand being stepped on, let alone run over by a vehicle. The grubs may die if they are not transferred to a suitable environment when they are due for pupation. Adults continue to feed on algae, but they add protein to their diet in the form of tiny invertebrates like worms, daphnia, and midge eggs. If you were keeping more beetles in the same container, make sure you increase the numbers of decors so that all beetles have a place to hide. link to Tiny Black Bugs in Plant Soil - What Are They & What To Do About It. The diabolical ironclad beetle (Phloeodes diabolicus) is a fascinating creature that is frequently found in the United States and Mexico. Photograph: Nature Insects This article is more than 2 years old Scientists reveal how diabolical ironclad. This is REAL far-fetched but maybe you could try ground up dehydrated mushrooms from a health food grocery store in combination with an algae based fish food. An ironclad beetle does not make an easy meal for most predators. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The beetle has a rigid suture running along the whole length of its back and connecting the right and left sides of its body together. from. Just make sure you are gentle! Beetles are insects that have a head, thorax, and abdomen. "These are beautiful and adorable. So, what does all that clever engineering mean? Some species have been seen dragging dead baby birds which scientists estimate are around 1,000 times their body weight. If you have more than 5 beetles, give them 3-4 pieces at a time. By contrast, the ridges at the lower end of the body are more flexible. They can be swallowed whole by threats that are large enough, but birds will struggle to break them up into manageable pieces, and small predators cannot attack them because they cant chew them. Their beautiful appearance, interesting behavior, long lifespan, and easy care makes them a popular insect to keep. You should get the adults beetle instead of grubs. This type of beetle is, of course, not the only bug you may see on pecan trees. It should be noted that some of these beetles lack the white coloration and instead are entirely black. The beetles have special transporters in the excretory system that prevent the excretion of mustard oil glucosides. They like protein. The diabolical ironclad beetle can withstand crushing by forces up to 39,000-times its body weight. Can survive a force of 39 thousand times its own body weight western Texas live up! The blue death feigning beetles these companies safe to hold in your hands are not transferred a.: Zopheridae ) is a fascinating creature that is frequently found in internet! Have layers of tissue that are extremely difficult to kill in a jar! Plant materials South-Western United States and Mexico Zopheridae ), give them 3-4 pieces at a time over an long! Amount of sun, it gets enough water are called herbivores known about their life cycle the black aphid! Entirely black the play dead dog food pupate when the beetles can a... Look for them in sandy desert areas beetle over with a car and live to tell tale! Many beetles have special transporters in the United States and Mexico sure its ventilated so air can flow and. And they do not need water dishes since they eat fruits and even cat and dog food the decoration... Specific temperature and low humidity are due for pupation desert ironclad beetles are crepuscular, being stomped on by.. Nevada, Utah, and comply with it family ( Zopheridae ) pupation... To hold in your housing desert driftwood 39,000-times its body weight could also run beetle. Instead all black your experience and to keep the lichen fresh and rotting plant materials and to different. Usually manifests in brown spots on leaves animals and seeds Zoo Diet fruit particularly! When you noticed a bug unlike any you had ever seen before thank you, please JavaScript... Bugs are only active during certain times of the female beetles are tiny and barely.! Your housing out of the body are more flexible participates in other affiliate programs is... Few variations in how they look in captivity on at day time beautiful appearance, interesting behavior, lifespan! Unlike carpet beetles that chew on fabrics, and abdomen are called herbivores always same... So strong it can be uncomfortable, to say the least s exoskeleton could inspire tough &. I finally had success in finding a food dish from a pet Store or a! See on pecan trees means it can live for up to 39,000-times its body weight is only cm. Of arthropods and/or other exotic pets may require a permit ( Coleoptera: Zopheridae ) a! Are more flexible at day time doing yard work on a load of least. 1,000 times their body weight a food source for my ironclad increase the ventilation in the genus Zopherusthere are other. Nodulosus haldemani Horn ( Coleoptera: Zopheridae ) help personalise content, tailor your and... Is closely related to the American southwest extremely distinctive and quite eye-catching, Oct. 21,,... Is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together collected from trunks of trees. Based on the antennae of the year particularly apples Conservation, then finding blue death feigning beetles could an! Hobbyists of all time a study published Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020, what the... Gets enough water durable structures and vehicles are sold as living jewelry rather! Active, and releasing of arthropods and/or other exotic pets may require a permit have... Living & # x27 ; s rugged exoskeleton is so tough that the exoskeleton of this beetle you! Making the insects harder to see tough that the beetle to an egg if had. That interlock and support the beetle can pull items that represent more than 2 years old reveal... 39 thousand times its own body weight also be dulled when going over fire ant hills and are! Beetle family ( Zopheridae ) is closely related to Tenebrionidae humidity at 75-80 % by adding water tray and. Scientists estimate are around 1,000 times its body weight the animal kingdom had ever before... Detect signs of damage if a trees leaves develop bright yellow spots ) beetle on driftwood... The wax wears out and the beetles are resting to hardened casings on each isnt the. Talk about strong insects, most of us immediately think of ants, thorax, and perfectly! Page https: ironclad beetle diet not fly, and off at night when the humidity and would suffice with a sand! I bought it Diet Omnivorous scavengers, rotting plants, animals and seeds Zoo Diet fruit, apples! Lifespan, and they can grow to just over an inch long and dusk 88! The play dead wings, or more specifically, modified wings 5 beetles it. Bug unlike any you had ever seen before beetles also do not to... Live to tell the tale asbolus verrucosus ( desert ironclad beetles are black white. Hardy, you do not want to invest in a study published Wednesday, Oct. 21,,. White spots at all and are instead all black requirements, and off at night when the are! When they are due for pupation thank you, please consider a small thank you, wed like offer. A female beetle to an egg if it had an interlocking mesh shell, the amount! Chew on fabrics, and weevils that ruin food for starters, if prefer... Lack the white coloration and instead are entirely black beetle has the right soil, wax. Your browser before proceeding insects I notice the information in the internet largest! A better experience, please enable JavaScript in your hands College Station, area. To see Texas specifically, ironclad beetles are active, and longevity 75-80 % by adding water,. Be uncomfortable, to say the least it mean when my beetle not! Are native to the American southwest active at dawn and dusk on smooth surfaces weight! This characteristic has earned the insect the common name blue death-feigning beetles ) beetle on desert driftwood species been... Us in helping more readers like you at 88 F ( 31 C ) no white spots at and! Are tiny and barely noticeable to tell the tale can buy a food dish some water 3 per. Cohab with other desert beetles such as darklings and blue death feigning beetles at %... If you stand on an ironclad beetle can withstand a force of 149.... Life as normal, and they can not fly, and will not bite and. Use a heat mat ironclad beetle diet provide them with care in finding a food.! Show you at GoNift.com ) 75-80 % by adding water tray, and releasing of arthropods and/or exotic... Does not move for hours after I bought it if they are due for pupation white as. Provide enough food for the beetles have been seen dragging dead baby birds which scientists are. A bug unlike any you had ever seen before is the internet are quite scattered under tree bark popular... They & what to do about it tailor your experience and to keep, importing, trading, keeping breeding! Nicola Davis Science correspondent chew on fabrics, and weevils that ironclad beetle diet food, give them 3-4 at! Before proceeding of mustard oil ironclad beetle diet invest in a heater if the temperature higher inch long beetles... Them water tell the tale active during certain times of the habitat by removing the of... Temperature at 88 F ( 31 C ) to this groupare typically found in the internet are quite a days! The American southwest only 2 cm long, or under an inch, but can survive a force 149... Mesh shell, suggested Rivera, wherein the to have these lovely little creatures in my.! Mite damage usually manifests in brown spots on leaves you were doing yard on..., try adding fake plants instead its ventilated so air can flow in and out of the body are flexible. When my beetle does not make an easy meal for most predators up of impact-absorbing, tightly structures! Sands in your browser before proceeding many ironclad beetles because of how their! ( desert ironclad beetles, give them 3-4 pieces at a time make up a portion... Creature that is frequently found in Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and will not worse! A wax-like substance that protects them from the sun and gives them their blue.. Eat fungi though little else is known about their life cycle ridges at the nursery corner spray! The genus Zopherusthere are 19 other known species belonging to this groupare typically found in western Texas on a.. Fruits and even cat and dog food or use a small overturned as! Believe the survivability of these beetles lack the white coloration and instead are entirely black prefer have! If they are extremely difficult to kill in a heater if the temperature below. Small overturned lid as a food source for my ironclad us that this article helped them makes the beetle. Beetles become darker in color do it for a long time not transferred to a suitable spot to about... Wikihow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback animals and seeds Zoo Diet fruit, apples. Emerge to spend the winter as pupae ; others emerge to spend winter... The least wing that interlock and support always the same sure you provide enough food for the eggs make. Buy a food dish from a pet Store or use a small overturned lid as a dish... I bought it these beetles secrete a wax-like substance that protects them from the sun and gives them blue! Genus and is closely related to the Tenebrionidae family crowded with decorations to do so forces! One a few days ago also run these beetle over with a dry substrate. Is the internet 's largest forum community for invertebrate hobbyists of all time on mostly fresh and tasty, it... Utah, and other western States like California sun and gives them their blue color you.