Ceratocanthus aeneus (pill scarab)
Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2022 3:28 pm
I'd not heard of this scarab beetle (Ceratocanthus aeneus) until today -
https://bugguide.net/node/view/397547
It only measures around 5 mm when enrolled. I didn't know that beetles had an analogue to the Armadillidiidae isopods and Oniscomorpha millipedes. It's not surprising though - the ability to roll into an armored ball must be a reasonably effective defense in nature, and it can be found in various other animal groups too, even mammals -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x71UlnYVEU
https://bugguide.net/node/view/397547
It only measures around 5 mm when enrolled. I didn't know that beetles had an analogue to the Armadillidiidae isopods and Oniscomorpha millipedes. It's not surprising though - the ability to roll into an armored ball must be a reasonably effective defense in nature, and it can be found in various other animal groups too, even mammals -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x71UlnYVEU