There are aspects of nature that amaze me, and one of these is insects. I find it extraordinary that such small and even defenseless creatures have the delicate task of performing indispensable tasks for the regulation and maintenance of ecosystems, such as pollination of plants and decomposition of dead matter. Pollination allows plants to be fertilized and thus produce the much desired fruits, as well as to spread in an area and maintain their biological legacy for the future. As for decomposition, it is the process by which matter that no longer has vital breath is broken down into smaller parts in order to be integrated into the soil, the environment and restart the life cycle.
And it is this last task, which is in charge of a beautiful insect that I see with some frequency both in my plot and in my internal garden and this the green beetle, also known by its scientific name Cotinis mutabilis, a species of coleopteran that inhabits much of the southern United States, Central and South America, being considered in some nations, a pest for crops, as it feeds on the root of the herbs and can eat ripe fruit.
Se distingue de otros escarabajos por su color verde metalizado intenso, que es muy bello.
En estado larvario he visto que son de color crema o hueso, tienen un tamaño notable, de aproximadamente 3 centímetros de longitud con un diámetro de un centímetro, aproximadamente. Las larvas son algo torpes, pues se mueven lentamente y se consiguen en la madera en descomposición, aunque también leí que se crían en la bosta de vaca.
Ya de adultos son de hábitos diurnos, generalmente los observo caminando o volando en la mañana y en la tarde, aún con el sol intenso, nunca merodea al atardecer o en la noche.
Son insectos relativamente grandes, ya que su longitud es 3 centímetros, en promedio.
Cuando vuelan hacen un ruido similar a los abejorros o cigarrones.
Les encanta comer vegetación que esté en descomposición, hojas y frutas que hayan caído al suelo, allí las comen. No puedo decir que les haya observado comer frutas u hojas, (cerezas, grosellas, granadas, cambures o cítricos), directamente de la planta.
Son inofensivos. Lamentablemente a mis perros y gatos les encantan devorarlos, supongo que tienen un sabor delicioso.
Creo que tienen algún elemento bioluminiscente o quizás algo de carga eléctrica; y esto lo digo porque años atrás ví un escarabajo verde que estaba siendo devorado por unas hormigas, y al estar muriendo, emitía como pequeños destellos o relámpagos miniatura por todo su cuerpo, de un color verde intenso, supongo que el dolor lo llevaba a ello. Me apiadé de él y finalicé su sufrimiento aplastándole, pues dudo que hubiera podido sobrevivir, las hormigas habían consumido gran parte de su cuerpo.
Despite this bad reputation, I can't say that these beetles have caused me any difficulties in my backyard, nor in my internal garden, on the contrary, I like to see them flying or hanging around, because I know that this means that they are doing their job, decomposing the wood that is in the backyard. I would be lying if I said that I have seen them eating some of the fruits of my trees and plants, but I have found their larvae in the old trunks. But let's get to know some general characteristics of this insect, from my personal experience or observation:
- They are distinguished from other beetles by their intense metallic green color, which is very beautiful.
- In the larval stage I have seen them to be cream or bone colored, they are of remarkable size, about 3 centimeters in length with a diameter of about one centimeter. The larvae are somewhat clumsy, as they move slowly and are obtained in decaying wood, although I also read that they breed in cow dung.
- As adults they are diurnal, I usually observe them walking or flying in the morning and in the afternoon, even with intense sun, never marauding at dusk or at night.
- They are relatively large insects, since their length is 3 centimeters, on average.
- When they fly they make a noise similar to bumblebees or cicadas.
- They love to eat decaying vegetation, leaves and fruits that have fallen to the ground, they eat them there. I cannot say that I have observed them eating fruits or leaves, (cherries, currants, pomegranates, pomegranates, bananas or citrus), directly from the plant.
- They are harmless. Unfortunately my dogs and cats love to devour them, I guess they taste delicious.
- I think they have some bioluminescent element or perhaps some electrical charge; and I say this because years ago I saw a green beetle that was being devoured by ants, and as it was dying, it emitted like little flashes or miniature lightning all over its body, of an intense green color, I guess the pain was driving it to it. I took pity on him and ended his suffering by crushing him, as I doubt he could have survived, the ants had consumed a large part of his body.
Last week I had trimmed some of the banana plants, as there were too many, and after a few hours, I was surprised to see a beautiful green beetle, I think it liked the liquid that expelled from the cut trunk. You can see it in all its splendor in the following photos:
The next day he was walking near some topocho (banana) flowers that had fallen to the ground; he seems to like this plant very much.
After two days, last weekend, I noticed that he was under the currant tree, very amused with a currant that had fallen to the ground. I think I was inopportune to photograph him, because in the end he hid in his shell, as if he were a turtle. Sorry to have interrupted his snack.
Aquí termino mi post de hoy, espero que haya sido agradable para todos, y recuerden que la Madre Tierra es amable, amorosa con todos nosotros; y todas y cada una de sus criaturas juegan un papel fundamental en los ecosistemas. Saludos.
Here I end my post for today, I hope it has been pleasant for everyone, and remember that Mother Earth is kind, loving to all of us; and each and every one of her creatures play a fundamental role in ecosystems. Greetings.
Fuentes de las Imágenes / Image sources
Todas las fotos de este post son de mi autoría y fueron tomadas con mi teléfono Xiomi REDMI 8 A // These photos are my own, and were taken with a Xiomi REDMI 8 A phone
Los divisores son cortesía de
quien comparte bellos diseños que embellecen el maquetado de nuestras publicaciones. // The dividers used are courtesy of
En caso de que se requiera utilizar el contenido o las imágenes de este post y de mis otras publicaciones, agradecería que se hiciera referencia a mi autoría (Fabiola Martínez) y se citara el enlace correspondiente. Gracias. // In case it is required to use the content or images of this post and of my other publications, I would appreciate if you could refer to my authorship (Fabiola Martínez) and cite the corresponding link. Thanks.
