Asbolus verrucosus

Asbolus verrucosus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Family:	Tenebrionidae
Genus:	Asbolus
Species:	A. verrucosus[1]
Binomial name
Asbolus verrucosus (LeConte, 1851)[2]

Asbolus verrucosus, also known as the desert ironclad beetle or blue death feigning beetle, is a species of darkling beetle native to the deserts of the Southwestern United States, mainly the Sonoran desert.^[3] This beetle has been known to feign death when threatened.^[4] They are increasingly becoming popular in the pet trade, due to their ease of care, hardiness, and longevity.

Description

The blue feigning death beetle grows around 18–21 mm (0.71–0.83 in) from head to abdomen. The powdery blue hue coloring the beetles is due to a wax secreted throughout their bodies that keeps them from losing moisture.^[5] Males are a tad bit smaller than females.

Captivity

Even though the majority of captive beetles are wild-caught, blue death feigning beetles suit very well in captivity, being common and even popular in zoos and insectariums.^[6] These insects are becoming increasingly popular as pets. They require little to no additional heat or humidity, and only require dry sand as substrate as well as something to hide in. They cannot climb on smooth surfaces (plastic or glass). No water dish is required, and they can be fed foods such as apples, carrots, dog and cat foods, and etc.^[7] Crickets or mealworms that have recently died can be given on occasion.^[7] Blue death feigning beetles have been successfully kept with Desert hairy scorpions.^[8]

References