Zopherus chilensis

Zopherus chilensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Clade:	Pancrustacea
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Polyphaga
Infraorder:	Cucujiformia
Family:	Zopheridae
Subfamily:	Zopherinae
Genus:	Zopherus
Species:	Z. chilensis
Binomial name
Zopherus chilensis Gray, 1832
Synonyms1
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

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

Z. chilensis is described "muted gold"² to "dull white"¹ in colour, with black blotches or tubercles on its back.¹³ It is the largest species in the genus Zopherus, and grows between 34 and 46 mm (1.3 and 1.8 in) in length; 13 to 17 mm (0.51 to 0.67 in) in width.¹³

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.¹²³⁴ The practice is at least a hundred years old.⁴

Z. chilensis lives in dead wood in arid forests and other similarly hot, dry, regions.²³ The larvae probably mine into this wood, and feed on fungus and lichen.²³ 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.²³