Darkling Beetle

There are many different darkling beetles, so identifying this one precisely is difficult. From afar they look like a fairly generic beetle, but up close its shell is rugged and completely sealed, which means it cannot fly. This fused shell forms a protective barrier that minimizes water loss and makes them highly tolerant of drought. It also has a waxy coating on the exoskeleton for additional protection. Many darkling beetles can release a defensive chemical from glands near the abdomen to deter predators, though I'm not sure whether this particular species uses that defense. Their larvae are the mealworms, which are commonly used as food for pet reptiles. Shot from 132 perspectives, 16 focus stacked images each. Nikon D810 on cropped sensor, f/18, ISO 320, Tamron 90mm macro lens and 20mm extension, with Speedlights www.patreon.com/cw/DanyBittel