Why is the beetle two different types? Is it a mutation in nature (like some lobsters) or some artistic choice?
It's a herm. Beetles like this results from when an egg develops both male and female sex characteristics, which ends up expressed in half of the body being female and half the body being male.
It's a herm. Beetles like this results from when an egg develops both male and female sex characteristics, which ends up expressed in half of the body being female and half the body being male.
It occurred to me that she (they?) doesn't actually have that many distinctly female characteristics, and could easily pass for a boy. The artist's replies on Twitter seem to be dancing around establishing which it is as well.
Ooyama RioOrder Coleoptera (the beetle order)Carnivorous HSG
MANTIS AKIYAMAMosaic Hermaphrodite
An individual with both male and female characteristics mixed together.Family Lucanidae,
Genus Dorcus