One day, while wandering through his property in Costa Rica, Michael Farmer encountered something extraordinary. On the leaves of a guava tree, he noticed what appeared to be a small metal object glinting in the sun, resembling a piece of polished chrome. To his surprise, it began to crawl.
Farmer had just discovered one of the world’s most unique beetles, Chrysina limbata, renowned for their silvery, reflective shells. Seeing it up close, he was left in awe.
When Farmer gently picked up the beetle, it froze and played dead, allowing him to get a closer look. “I was amazed by how beautiful it was,” Farmer said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
He took several photos of the beetle, capturing its almost unreal beauty. “It was like a mirror. Utterly flawless reflection in the beetle,” he said. “Truly one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.”
Farmer later learned that these beetles are quite rare. Though they were once more commonly found in the region, the species has suffered due to habitat loss and being captured and sold to collectors. Fortunately, the beetle Farmer found avoided such a fate.
“I don’t believe in selling living creatures like that,” Farmer said. “I put it back on the tree, and it rapidly flew away.” The memory of that encounter, however, remains vivid.
Although this was Farmer’s first encounter with such a beetle, he hopes it won’t be his last. “I’m not much of an insect person,” he admitted. “But I’m still amazed by it. Can’t wait to see another.”
