Death-Feigning Beetle

Project Description

Southwestern U.S.A.

Death-feigning beetles are so good at playing dead that they can lay motionless for hours.  They usually give themselves away with a slight twitch of their antennae. It is easy to maintain with just a slice of fruit and a spray of water every few days. These beetles are very sturdy and handleable by students, making them perfect for hands-on observations and activities.

• Class: Insecta (Insects)
• Order: Coleoptera (Beetles)
• Family: Tenebrionidae (Darkling Beetles)
• Species: Asobolus verrucosus (Blue Death-feigning Beetle), Cryptoglossa variolosa (Black Death-feigning Beetle), Asobolus laevis (Smooth Death-feigning Beetle)