A living brooch, also known as a ma'kech, makech, and maquech, is a

brooch A brooch (, also ) is a decorative jewelry item designed to be attached to garments, often to fasten them together. It is usually made of metal, often silver or gold or some other material. Brooches are frequently decorated with enamel or with g ...

made from a living beetle of the genus '' Zopherus'' (one of the three genera of ironclad beetle), particularly the species '' Zopherus chilensis''. The brooches are decorated with paste gemstones, bric-à-brac, and imitation gold, and are tethered to a woman's blouse by a small chain. Such brooches have traditionally been made in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico as objects of personal adornment. They do not move quickly, are very hardy, and are capable of living for over 3 years without food or water.

References

{{reflist Jewellery Insects in culture Cruelty to animals