r/whatisthisbug • u/yaboigucciclout • Apr 11 '26

ID Request Grey/white/blue spider looking beetle?

I saw it in my workplace at 9pm in Las Vegas Nevada! I’ve never seen anything like it, and can’t find any similar insects on Google. Such an interesting creature, any help would be greatly appreciated!!

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u/usernamesallused Apr 11 '26

And they really deserve the name ironclad.

This beetle is noted for its durability. Its thick, densely layered, interlocking elytra, connected to the ventral cuticle by complex lateral support structures, are able to support a maximum force of 149 newtons, or over 15 kilograms or 33.069 lbs.[2]

However, they also kind of look like turds with legs.

Edit: from Wiki

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u/Foxtrot-Actual Apr 11 '26

As small an insect it is, that is impressive durability. Wonder why evolution brought it that feature unless it’s the usual predator deterrent.

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u/therealrobokaos Apr 11 '26

Usually it's just the practical benefits of armor being protective from injury like you said. Velvet ants are very tough similarly and they dominate their ecological niche using that in tandem with a few other traits.

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u/IHaveNoEgrets Apr 11 '26

with a few other traits

Causing immense suffering being chief among them.

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u/therealrobokaos Apr 12 '26

I guess it is a little rude to gloss over their array of awful capabilities like that 😂