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avatar_snailtime

Help Identifying Insect/Beetle Figurines (Late 90s? Unbranded; Made in China)

Started by snailtime, December 18, 2023, 02:09:06 AM

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snailtime

Hoping someone can share some info about some plastic beetle figurines I've had for a very long time. The green one and the yellow one came together in a set. There's no maker's mark on them, they just say "Made in China." The green beetle also has a "B" imprinted on it and the yellow beetle has a "F." The orange beetle (?) appears to have come from a different set and only says "CHINA" on the bottom. I think these figurines may be from the 90s. Does anyone know more about where these came from or pictures of their original sets?

Also, I've always wondered what species they're supposed to be, especially the green beetle. Any ideas?





BlueKrono

I got that yellow beetle in the middle in a box of bugs from the store when I was a kid. There were a lot of insects, many different styles. Sorry I can't be of more help with that one.

I've never seen that green one before, but it resembles my favorite species of beetle: Chiasognathus granti. I'd definitely be interested if you'd ever consider parting with it!
I like turtles.

NSD Bashe


BlueKrono

The brown one reminds me a little bit of a giraffe weevil, but it's pretty different.
I like turtles.

Isidro


bmathison1972

The Darwin beetle (Chiasognathus granti) and the long-horned beetle are 'knock-offs' of Wing Mau beetles.

The long-horned beetle is using the sculpt of Wing Mau's Aromia moschata (but the color is not right for this species).

The brentid I have seen before, I think in Imperial Toys sets, but I cannot remember.

I reviewed the Wing Mau Beetles here: https://animaltoyforum.com/index.php?topic=267.msg25069#msg25069

snailtime

Quote from: bmathison1972 on December 18, 2023, 12:51:50 PMThe Darwin beetle (Chiasognathus granti) and the long-horned beetle are 'knock-offs' of Wing Mau beetles.

The long-horned beetle is using the sculpt of Wing Mau's Aromia moschata (but the color is not right for this species).

The brentid I have seen before, I think in Imperial Toys sets, but I cannot remember.

I reviewed the Wing Mau Beetles here: https://animaltoyforum.com/index.php?topic=267.msg25069#msg25069

Thanks for chiming in! Your review on the Wing Mau beetles was a pleasure to read and jogged some memories. The Darwin beetle and longhorn beetle I have certainly came from a knock off set of the Wing Mau beetles. The biggest difference was the paint jobs. The knocks offs I had were all very brightly colored in a rainbow of colors. There was also an Anthaxia nitidula that was colored bright red and green (red on the head, green for the abdomen if I remember correctly). I remember there being an ironclad beetle as well. Shame I lost the rest. They were very cool. Great to know more about their origins though!

snailtime

Quote from: BlueKrono on December 18, 2023, 02:28:01 AMI got that yellow beetle in the middle in a box of bugs from the store when I was a kid. There were a lot of insects, many different styles. Sorry I can't be of more help with that one.

I've never seen that green one before, but it resembles my favorite species of beetle: Chiasognathus granti. I'd definitely be interested if you'd ever consider parting with it!

I'm afraid I could never part with these guys as these are the only bug figurines I have left from my childhood, but I hope you get lucky and find one on eBay as the other poster mentioned! I've occasionally seen figures from the knock off Wing Mau beetles set pop up on eBay. They might be rare but they certainly aren't impossible to find!