Meet the Beetle with the Most Fabulous Antennae!
If there were an insect fashion show, the feather-horned beetle, Rhipicera femorata, would absolutely steal the runway. The males of this species boast dramatic, feathery antennae that put even the fanciest moths to shame! These antennae aren’t just for show, they help them detect pheromones from females, even from a great distance. Found in Australia, these rare and mysterious beetles belong to a little-known family called Rhipiceridae, and they have a pretty bizarre life cycle involving underground cicada larvae.
Where to Spot Them
These beetles are tricky to find, but they sometimes show up in dry, open woodlands across Australia. Your best bet? Keep an eye out during warm months, when they emerge to mate.
Why They’re Cool
-Their feather-like antennae are some of the most extravagant in the insect world.
-The larvae are parasites of cicadas, which means they hitch a ride underground and feast on cicada grubs before emerging as adult beetles.
-Scientists still don’t know much about them, making every sighting a tiny entomological mystery!