Description
Diabolical Ironclad beetles are close relatives of darkling beetles, but are in the completely separate Ironclad family (Zopherinae). These are charcoal black and measure about 1/2 to 3/4 inches. These are very cryptic looking beetles with rough and chunky, asphalt-like texture. Their pronotums extend out in almost heart-shaped flanges aside their heads. Recesses below the pronotum provide hiding places for their antennae when they go into death-feigning mode (faking death). When disturbed they often exhibit a tripod like stance that is opposite the normal darkling “head-stander” behavior. These beetles sit on their haunches and extend their front legs like little bulldogs.
