Frigate Island giant tenebrionid beetle  (Polposipus herculeanus)

Biology

This nocturnal beetle lives in large groups that often cluster tightly together in the cracks and crevices that form its daytime hiding places. Due to its large size and inability to fly, the Frigate Island giant tenebrionid beetle cannot travel very far, so normally remains around a small area. The furthest an individual has been recorded to travel is 19 metres, although many appear to stay on a single tree (4).

The life span in the wild is unknown, but two individuals collected as adults of unknown age survived over seven years in captivity. However, the average life span in captivity is only about half this (4).

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