In the insect world, there exists a mysterious and legendary creature whose name is misleading and which has undergone a dramatic transformation from "extinction" to frequent reappearances. This is the variegated beetle (scientific name: *Cheirotonus jansoni*). Although its name contains the word "turtle," it is not a turtle as we commonly know it, but a genuine giant beetle.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Scarabaeidae
Genus: Cheirotonus
Species: *Cheirotonus jansoni*
strange appearance
The variegated beetle, measuring approximately 40 to 60 millimeters in length and 24 to 32 millimeters in width, possesses a striking dark green carapace that gleams with a captivating metallic sheen in sunlight, making it as dazzling as a jewel in the insect world. However, its most striking feature is not this magnificent exterior, but rather its exceptionally long forelimbs. Especially in males, their forelegs can even exceed the length of their bodies! Such exaggerated arms make one wonder if they are engaged in some kind of "arm strength competition."
The mystery of the origin of the name "turtle".
The name of the rainbow beetle often leads people to mistakenly believe it is related to a turtle, when in fact it is completely unrelated. This misunderstanding may stem from its heavy shell and slow movements, but the real reason is that it belongs to the scarab beetle family. This misleading name, however, adds a touch of mystery to this insect.
The legendary experience of disappearance and reappearance
The Yangcai Armored Beetle was declared extinct as early as 1982. However, in recent years, this mysterious insect, thought to be extinct, has frequently "reappeared." From Wuyuan County in Jiangxi Province to Xuan'en County in Hubei Province, and then to Yongtai County in Fujian Province, the Yangcai Armored Beetle has appeared one after another, making people wonder: "Is life on Earth also playing a game of reincarnation?"
The reality is not so fantastical. Scientists point out that the Rainbow-armed Beetle has a very long lifespan, typically requiring at least two years to complete a full development cycle. Coupled with its relatively weak reproductive capacity and demanding environmental requirements, its numbers are already scarce. The recent frequent sightings suggest that their living conditions may have improved, which is undoubtedly a positive sign for ecological conservation.
Daily Life of the Golden Tortoise with Colorful Arms
As one of the largest beetles in China, the Yangcai Armored Beetle generally lives in tropical and subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests or mixed evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forests. Their larvae and pupae hide inside large pieces of decaying wood, while adults are often active in oak forests, occasionally attracted by lights, which provides us with an excellent opportunity to observe them.
The significance of protecting the golden tortoise with its colorful arms
Although the Rainbow-armed Beetle has been frequently spotted in recent years, it remains an endangered species and is under Class II national protection. Their reappearance not only amazes us with the tenacious resilience of life but also serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting the ecological environment.
Some in the scientific community believe we may be on the brink of the sixth mass extinction. Whether this view is overly pessimistic or not, protecting biodiversity is a crucial task. The reappearance of the Yangcai Armed Beetle reminds us that ecological protection has never ceased; only by working together to protect the environment we depend on will these mysterious and beautiful creatures continue to reveal miracles to us.
The next time you encounter a dark green beetle with extra-long arms in the forest or under lamplight, don't forget to take a closer look; you might just be meeting the legendary Sunflower-armed Beetle!
