Violin Beetle (11×14)

Violin beetles are an extremely unusual type of ground beetle found only in Malaysia and existing almost exclusively between layers of shelf fungi and under tree bark.  Their flattened, unique shape enables them to hunt for larvae and other invertebrates in such confined spaces.  Violin Beetles also have the ability to release a particularly toxic form of butyric acid as a defense mechanism that is said to be powerful enough to paralyze a human hand for 24 hours.