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Animals & Habitats
Blue Feigning Death Beetle
Scientific Name
Asbolus verrecosus
Range
Southwestern United States & Mexico
Conservation Status
Not assessed by IUCN

What’s in a Name?

Blue death feigning beetles will play dead when confronted with a predator. A beetle can play dead for hours at a time.

Wax On

Blue death feigning beetles have bumps on their backs that secrete wax. This wax helps to prevent dehydration and heat exhaustion. As the beetles get older, the wax wears away, leaving black spots on the beetle’s body.

 

To learn more, download the Blue Death-Feigning Beetle fact sheet.