The beetle that shines like metal. The Chrysina Limbata

The beetle that shines like metal — Chrysina Limbata

At first glance, it looks like a small toy made of steel or some other metal with great skill. Its surface is so shiny, smooth, and reflective like glass that at first glance, a person is deceived. But you will be surprised to know that this is not a toy, but a very unique and amazing insect of nature, called Chrysina limbata.

This charming insect is found in the dense, humid, and rainy areas of Costa Rica, Mexico, and South and Central America — that is, Tropical Rainforests.

In these forests, tall trees, dense vegetation, and a constantly humid environment are ideal for its survival. This beetle is usually seen in areas much higher than sea level, where both coolness and humidity are present.

Its most distinctive feature is its mirror-like silver exoskeleton, which is so shiny that a person can even see its own reflection.

Interestingly, its shine is not due to any metallic substance or color, but rather to the extremely fine microstructures in its shell that reflect light in such a way that it looks like a pure silver or steel surface.

This is called structural coloration — that is, the color is actually created by the reflection of light, not by pigments in the body.

This shiny surface also helps it protect itself from predators, as it hides itself by reflecting its surroundings in bright light.
Chrysina limbata is mostly active at night. During the day, it hides among the leaves or bark of trees so that its shiny surface is not too noticeable in the sunlight.

Its diet consists mostly of leaves and soft parts of plants.
It is more visible during the rainy season, as moisture is essential for its survival.

This beetle belongs to the Scarabaeidae family, which is known for its colorful and shiny beetles. Many beetles in the Chrysina genus are the center of attention for entomologists and photographers around the world due to their attractive coloration, but Chrysina limbata is the most unique of them all due to its metallic luster.

This insect, which lives in tropical rainforests, is an important part of this ecosystem.
It maintains the natural balance of growth by cutting down some plant species,
serves as food for predatory birds and small animals,
and is closely associated with plant life by laying its eggs on tree leaves.

Many people are amazed by its shiny metallic appearance. Photographers, researchers, and visitors to the Rainforest consider it a privilege to photograph it. Many people think that this is a "chrome-polished" toy made by humans, but in reality, it is a living and rare masterpiece of nature.