| Polposipus herculeanus | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Tenebrionidae |
| Genus: | Polposipus |
| Species: | P. herculeanus |
| Binomial name | |
| Polposipus herculeanus Solier, 1848 |
|
Polposipus herculeanus is a flightless, nocturnal species of beetle in family Tenebrionidae. It is endemic to Seychelles. It grows to be about 20-30 mm long, and is the largest beetle in the Tenebrionidae family. It has a hard, rounded abdomen covered with tubercles. When in danger, chemicals will secrete from the defensive glands in the posterior of the beetle, which have a musky smell and stains the skin purple. They live under the bark of trees and bushes, and come out at night to eat.