Hypera rumicis - Teneral beetle still in cocoon

Normally the beetle's eclosure from the pupal skin all happens inside the cocoon so that the teneral beetle remains protected while hardening. Only after it is fully ready it will (be able to) chew through the tough cocoon and walk away into the world.

comments (4)

Flown Kimmerling

Lion

This is beautiful! Posted 6 years ago
1. Pudding4brains
  
  Lion
  
  Hi Lisa, yes ... very intricate "golden cage" and surprisingly strong(!) Here is what the teneral beetle looks like when some bad, bad boy cuts it out of the cocoon to get better look:
  
  Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
    
    Lion
    
    Oh, how adorable! I'm guessing they are not sclerotized enough for their own defenses? Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Pudding4brains
      
      Lion
      
      Well, like most/all insects these are quite soft and vulnerable while still teneral/fresh, but normally these enjoy the protection of the cocoon while hardenig. Also, I imagine (pretty sure really) that there is no way the beetle will be able to chew through the cocoon until the mouth parts are fully hardened. But yes, also once fully hardened and after leaving the cocoon I would estimate Hypera to be on the softer side of the average beetle/weevil. Here is what the species looks like fully hardened/coloured (except for top left maybe):
      
      Posted 6 years ago