Dor Beetle
All About Beetles
Tough shells, protective wing covers, and the most diverse insects in the world – discover everything there is to know about beetles!
What Are Beetles?
Beetles are insects and the most diverse order on the planet. They have six legs and a tough shell that protects their bodies. Most beetles can fly, with their wings safely tucked beneath hard wing covers. However, there are also ground beetles and running beetles. You can find beetles almost everywhere: in forests, gardens, water, or even deserts. Some species play a crucial role in nature by breaking down plant debris or eating pests, while others are considered pests themselves.
Main Characteristics of Beetles
1. The Most Diverse Animal Order
There are over 1,000,000 insects, and nearly half of them are beetles. With over 400,000 species, they are the most diverse order within the insect world.
2. A Tough Shell
All beetles have a hard shell that protects their bodies from injuries. This shell is made of chitin, a very strong and stable material composed of polysaccharides. The only exception is the soft-bodied beetles, which have a less rigid shell.
3. Hardy Wing Covers
All beetles possess hard wing covers that shield their delicate flight wings – protecting them from injuries and drying out. They are called elytra. The wing covers are not suitable for flying. When beetles want to take to the air, they lift their wing covers and extend them away from their bodies to allow their flight wings to move.
Beetle Family Tree
Amazing Facts About Beetles
- There are more than 380,000 species of beetles. In the USA, there are 30,000 species. In Germany, there are approximately 7,000 species.
- Beetles have a head, six legs, two body parts, two antennae, two wings, and two wing cases. The wing cases are thickened and rest over the actual wings to protect them from injuries.
- There are beetles that glow due to a biochemical process: the fireflies. This phenomenon is known as bioluminescence.
- Beetles have a varied diet. Some species are herbivores, while others are carnivores. For instance, the bark beetle feeds on wood and bark, whereas the ladybug dines on aphids.
- Beetles communicate through scents, sounds, or vibrations.
- Beetles play a crucial role in nature. For instance, jewel beetles help pollinate plants. Ladybugs combat pests such as aphids. Dung beetles act like the health inspectors of the forest. They consume fresh dung and help prevent the spread of diseases.
- There are also beetles that are considered pests. These include the bark beetle, the Colorado potato beetle, and the woodboring beetle, whose larvae are also known as woodworm larvae.
- The largest beetles are the Hercules beetle and the titan beetle. They can reach a body length of up to 6.6 inches (17 cm). The smallest beetle is the featherwing beetle. It is also the tiniest insect. It measures just 0.01 inches (0.25 mm) in length.
- The heaviest beetles include the Goliath beetle, the Hercules beetle, the elephant beetle, and the titan beetle. They weigh between 1.4.-1.7 ounces (40-50 grams), with some reaching up to 3.8 ounces (110 grams). These fascinating creatures are found in Africa and South America.
- The tiger beetle in Australia is the fastest beetle. It can reach 8.2 feet (2.5 meters) per second. That's equivalent to 5.6 mph (9 km/h).
- The toughest beetle is the golden spider beetle. Some creatures were accidentally trapped in a container with thorn apple leaves and were found alive after 15 years.
