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Zopherus chilensis
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Polyphaga
Infraorder:	Cucujiformia
Family:	Zopheridae
Subfamily:	Zopherinae
Genus:	Zopherus
Species:	Z. chilensis
Binomial name
Zopherus chilensis Gray, 1832
Synonyms
List Megazopherus chiliensis, Casey, 1907 Megazopherus chilensis, Casey, 1907 Zopherus bremei Guerin-Meneville, 1844 Zopherus chiliensis Champion, 1884 Zopherus insignis Blanchard, 1861 Zopherus Moreletii (nomen nudem), Lucas, 1852

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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.

Appearance

Z. chilensis is described "muted gold" to "dull white" in colour, with black blotches or tubercles on its back. It is the largest species in the genus Zopherus, and grows between 34 and 46 mm in length; 13 to 17 mm in width.

As living brooches

In 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. The practice is at least a hundred years old.

Life cycle, habitat, and diet

Z. chilensis lives in dead wood in arid forests and other similarly hot, dry, regions. The larvae probably mine into this wood, and feed on fungus and lichen. 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.

References

1. ^ Charles A. Triplehorn (1972). "A review of the genus Zopherus of the world (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)" (PDF). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 108: 1–20.
2. ^ Magazine, Smithsonian; Jaggard, Victoria. "Meet the Makech, the Bedazzled Beetles Worn as Living Jewelry". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
3. ^ Hogue, Charles Leonard (1993-01-01). Latin American Insects and Entomology. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-07849-9.
4. ^ "Do People Really Wear Live, Jewel-Encrusted Beetles as Brooches?". Snopes.com. Retrieved 2022-08-18.

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