EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Each week a different image of our fascinating environment is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional ecologist.

9-15 November 2020

The Toughest Beetle

Ironclad Beetle (Phellopsis porcata), Family Zopheridae
Cascade Mountains, Washington USA

Credit & Copyright: Dr. Bruce G. Marcot

Explanation:  This is one tough insect!  Aptly named ironclad beetle, I captured this specimen during a study of invertebrates in the Cascade Mountains in southern Washington State, USA.  

Ironclad beetles are apparently so-named for their corrugated and rough exoskeleton that seems to provide extra dynamic strength.  

 
Ironclad beetles are among the toughest invertebrates around.  They have been fairly well known for a long time, but for some reason being recently heralded in popular news stories.  

Adult ironclad beetles are fungivores, that is, they feed on fungi that grows in decaying trees of old alpine and boreal forests.  

Next week's picture:  Smoke-filled Skies

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