Masterful mimetism - Petrognatha gigas (preserved specimen)

ItalianTermiteMan

Arachnosquire
Joined
Jul 23, 2023
Messages
146
Here we have a preserved male of Petrognatha gigas, an impressive longhorn beetle from central Africa and the only species of the genus Petrognatha.

These peculiar insects develope at the larval stage inside dead Acacia trees, and as adults are splendidly adapted to blend in on its bark not only due to highly cryptic coloration, but also thanks to their remarkable wavy limbs and long antennae that when kept straight looks just like dried twigs jutting out from the plant! As is common in longhorns (family Cerambycidae), females have markedly shorter antennae but otherwise are just as mimetic. All in all, fantastic critters!

Specimen origin: Ghana.


311720354_3275871809408023_6688801408887327814_n.jpg
 

Tbone192

Arachnobaron
Active Member
Joined
May 28, 2020
Messages
443
I wish more beetle genuses were readily available in the hobby as pets, there are certainly some which are just as impressive as adult T's. I personally would love to keep some Charidotela sexpunctata, golden tortoise beetles. They may be small but their colours are impressive and thankfully they are native to where I live and are of least concern.

Really cool beetle btw, Coleoptera is truly an interesting order. With such diversity I am not surprised there are some beautifully adapted to camouflage. This species in particular, P gigas, is truly stunning. Love the gold legs and pattern. Was this collected by you or is it a specimen from another collection, either way really cool 😎.

Fantastic post 👍!
 

ItalianTermiteMan

Arachnosquire
Joined
Jul 23, 2023
Messages
146
I wish more beetle genuses were readily available in the hobby as pets, there are certainly some which are just as impressive as adult T's. I personally would love to keep some Charidotela sexpunctata, golden tortoise beetles. They may be small but their colours are impressive and thankfully they are native to where I live and are of least concern.

Really cool beetle btw, Coleoptera is truly an interesting order. With such diversity I am not surprised there are some beautifully adapted to camouflage. This species in particular, P gigas, is truly stunning. Love the gold legs and pattern. Was this collected by you or is it a specimen from another collection, either way really cool 😎.

Fantastic post 👍!
After termites, beetles are my favorite animals; i agree about tortoise beetles, lots of beautiful ones indeed! I have kept some large rhino beetles (like Megasoma actaeon) in the past and they're indeed absolutely impressive critters, main problem for them is a comparatively short adult life compared to a long larval development.

Regarding the pinned ones, the specimen that i post are from my entomological collection, but i haven't originally collected them myself: i purchase them unmounted (often at a local entomology fair) and then pose them.
 

Tbone192

Arachnobaron
Active Member
Joined
May 28, 2020
Messages
443
Regarding the pinned ones, the specimen that i post are from my entomological collection, but i haven't originally collected them myself: i purchase them unmounted (often at a local entomology fair) and then pose them.
Wow! That is in great condition. Transporting something so delicate must be a little stressful. My buddy collects casually but his larger specimens don't always make it from point A to point B. I have personally pinned molts from tarantula but that is all. You must have your specimen care down to a tee, I tip my hat to you.
 

The Snark

Dumpster Fire of the Gods
Old Timer
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
Messages
11,420
Camouflage similar to certain species of cicada. I've been 10 feet from a tree trunk with an ear splitting noise but unable to spot the animal.
 
Top