Ultrasonic Illusions: How Tiger Beetles Use Mimicry to Outsmart Bats
Tiger beetles mimic the ultrasonic signals of toxic moths to evade bat predation, a survival strategy exclusive to their nocturnal varieties. As the primary predators…
Beetle News
Beetles are a diverse and widespread group of insects belonging to the order Coleoptera, which is the largest of all the insect orders, encompassing about 40% of all described insect species. Beetles are characterized by their hard, chitinous exoskeletons and forewings that are modified into protective covers called elytra, which shield the delicate hind wings and abdomen. This design allows them to inhabit virtually every terrestrial and freshwater environment, adapting to an incredible range of ecological niches. Beetles play various roles in the environment; some species are important pollinators, while others are predators, decomposers, or pests of crops and stored products. Their life cycle includes four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult, with many species exhibiting complex and highly specialized developmental stages. The study of beetles is not only crucial for understanding ecological dynamics but also for applications in agriculture, where their impact can be both beneficial and detrimental.
“Tiny, Beautiful, and Completely Unknown Animals” Discovered in the Ulu Temburong Forest
The undiscovered small beetles in the tropical rainforest are probably endless. But that did not discourage citizen scientists on expeditions to the Ulu Temburong forest…
Bioluminescent Brink: Brazil’s Battle To Save Its Glowing Beetles
Surveys conducted in the Cerrado since the 1990s show falling biodiversity as the agricultural frontier advances in the vicinity of Emas National Park. Species with…
Cheers to Biodiversity: Beetle With Bottle-Opener Genitalia Discovered
Researchers have discovered new beetle species, including one with a unique penis resembling a bottle opener, highlighting the role of insect genitalia in species identification….
Scientists Discover New Species of Weevils in Japan’s Pristine Subtropical Forests
The weevil possesses distinctive characteristics and is sensitive to human disturbance. A new weevil species has been found in the pristine subtropical forests of Ishigaki…
Rare Beetle Rediscovered After 55 Years
During the insect sampling expedition at Jerry Brown’s ranch, a researcher from UC Berkeley stumbled upon a beetle species that had eluded scientific observation since…
Scientists Develop a Skin Crawling Treatment for Acne
Scientists develop beetle-inspired device for skincare. Drawing inspiration from nature, a team of international scientists have invented a smart device for personalized skin care modeled…
Is It Cheaper To Be Bigger? Evolutionary Lessons From the Extreme Weapons of Giraffe Weevil Warriors
Nepalese craftsman, Chandra Bahadur Dangi, holds the record as the world’s shortest adult, at 54.6 cm (1 ft 9 ½ inches). The tallest human is…
‘Unshackled’ Palm-Destroying Beetles Could Soon Invade Australia – “We Thought We’d Outsmarted Them”
A destructive pest beetle is edging closer to Australia as biological controls fail, destroying home gardens, plantations, and biodiversity as they surge through nearby Pacific…
New Species of Beetle Discovered in Dinosaur Ancestor’s 230 Million-Year-Old Poop
The tiny beetle Triamyxa coprolithica is the first-ever insect to be described from fossil feces. The animal the researchers have to thank for the excellent…
Exotic Beetle That Can Survive in Volcanic Areas Inspires New Cooling Materials
A type of beetle capable of regulating its body temperature in some of the hottest places on Earth is the centerpiece of new research with…
Horseradish Flea Beetle: Protected With the Chemical Weapons of Its Food Plant
Researchers elucidate how the insect regulates the accumulation of plant toxins via special transporters. When horseradish flea beetles feed on their host plants, they take…
Cretaceous Amber Fossil Sheds Light on Evolution of Bioluminescence in Beetles
Bioluminescence has fascinated people since time immemorial. The majority of organisms able to produce their own light are beetles, specifically fireflies, glow-worm beetles, and their…
Preserved With Life-Like Fidelity, 100 Million-Year-Old Beetle Is Fireflies’ Missing Fossil Link
Amber-Encased Fossil Shines Light on Evolution of Bioluminescent Insects Trapped in amber for ~100 million years, an exceptionally well-preserved, light-producing beetle sheds light on the…
Ambrosia Beetles Have Developed Sophisticated Social Systems
They belong to the bark beetle family, and they are the only animals in nature, along with leaf-cutter ants and some termites, that practice agriculture:…
Scientists Discover Design Secrets of Nearly Indestructible Insect That Can Survive Being Run Over by a Car
University of California, Irvine materials scientists discover design secrets of nearly indestructible insect. Southern California’s diabolical ironclad beetle has an exoskeleton so tough, it can…
Scientists Reconstruct Beetles From the Cretaceous – 99 Million Years Ago
International research team gains new insights into the evolution of fossil beetles. About a year ago, researchers found fossil specimens of beetles in an amber…
Chemistry Behind the Bombardier Beetle’s Extraordinary Firepower – “Fascinating Story That Nobody Has Been Able to Tell Before”
How the Beetle Got Its Bang If you want to see one of the wonders of the natural world, just startle a bombardier beetle. But…