a lateral view during a stick climb is just about the only reliable way to look at Timarcha lusitanica's colorful legs and venter without flipping them around or simply bothering them enough to play dead, although they certainly are the perfect shape and size to do weird sleight of hand tricks with like you would with a marble. after a quick peek, you can put the stick back down and they will become inconspicuous black chrysomelids once more
at least assuming they let go of it
(November 8th, 2025)
