On a peaceful stretch of green leaves, I found a unique creature leisurely strolling across the leaves. Its body was very small, covered in fine, sharp spines. At first glance, it looked a lot like a hedgehog. Fortunately, it was small, if it were any larger, it would have looked scary, and of course, I wouldn't have dared approach it if it were larger. It was truly unique and fascinating to observe.
Judging by its legs and antennae, it resembled a beetle, but the spines on its body made me hesitate to call it a beetle. The beetles I usually find have wings and smooth backs. After uploading it to inaturalist, it turned out to be a beetle species from the Chrysomelidae family. Dactylispa sauteri is the Latin name. I tried searching for the name in English and Indonesian, but I couldn't find any. Not many people have observed this insect, on inaturalist, I saw only 224 observations of it. I was happy to have successfully observed this insect so quickly.
The beetle's coloration was beautiful: a jet black with a shimmering shimmer, blending beautifully with a shiny brownish-yellow. The colors blend perfectly with the surrounding environment, creating a simple yet calming scene. The spines on its body aren't just for decoration, they're also a means of defense against enemy attacks. Its small size makes it safe from predators. Its small body allows for easy hiding, and its coloration also allows for camouflage.
| Latin name | Dactylispa sauteri |
|---|---|
| Observation date | 9 Mei, 2026 |
| Camera used | realme 7 Pro |
| Photographers |  |
| Location | Aceh, Indonesia |
| Link to original community |
|---|
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/359719753
| Latitude | Longitude | Map |
|---|---|---|
| 4.695135 | 96.7493993 | https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=4.695135&mlon=96.7493993 |