Frigate Island giant tenebrionid beetle  (Polposipus herculeanus)

Description

This remarkable beetle is the largest tenebrionid beetle in the world, and also one of the most endangered, being found only on the small Seychelles island of Frégate (3). Dark brown in colour, this flightless beetle has long legs and a large, rounded abdomen covered with small, raised tubercles (2) (4). Defensive glands produce a chemical secreted from the rear of the beetle, which has a musky smell and stains the skin purple (4).

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