5 Types Of Beetles: Meet These Beetles

These species of beetles belong to such a large group that research claims that today there are more than 375,000 different ones. They have chewable jaws as well as a carapace and two pairs of wings.

Coleoptera are part of a large group of insects, which have enormous morphological diversity and can live in virtually any habitat, even in water or polar regions.

So, next, we’ll talk about the 5 best known types of beetles.

How many types of beetles are there?

According to surveys, there are  currently more than 375,000 types of beetles.  However, in order to enter this large family, it is essential to “comply” with certain requirements.

To start with, you need strong chewers, front wings that form very rigid armor, and a second pair of wings, which in some are stunted and do not allow them to fly.

Some of the best known representatives of this group are:

1. Potato Beetle

This is one of the most “hated” types of beetles, as it ravaged the fields. As the name implies, he loves potatoes. Therefore, it becomes a pest because it feeds on the leaves and bulbs when they have already been harvested.

The potato beetle, which heads this article, is small – it measures one centimeter in length – and its body has a characteristic color: yellow background and black lines.

It is believed to be native to Mexico, although today its range is expanding as tuber plantations grow.

2. Rhinoceros Beetle

It is a nocturnal insect that is distributed in the forests of Europe, and whose name comes from the horn it has on its head, although only males have it.

Also, it is a large beetle compared to other species.

The rhinoceros beetle is reddish brown, can measure about four centimeters and is not considered harmful to agriculture as adults do not feed.

Larvae are also not dangerous to crops, as their diet is based on decaying plant material.

3. Ball beetle

It is a very curious insect whose action earned the title of “sacred animal” for the Egyptians. The beetle forms balls of dung and excrement with its front legs and transports them long distances until it finds an underground cave or gallery to bury them.

Why do they do this? Because it is in the manure where the female lays the eggs and after fermentation the larvae can form.

Afterwards, they feed on the manure. The mother’s work throughout this process is very important, as it ensures that fungi do not form and that the temperature is always correct. When she finishes her task, she usually dies.

4. Lily leaf beetle

This is another of the best known types of beetles, due to their ability to “walk on water” or, better, fly level with a lake and at high speed.

This small red insect, which is considered a pest for certain plants, also breaks several records.

The speed reached by the lily leaf beetle is 1.8 km/h. It may seem like very little, but considering its size, it’s as if a human could run at 500 km/h. This is thanks to its legs with water-repelling hair and claws that adhere to the surface.

5. Goliath Beetle

To finish this list of types of beetles, we could not fail to name one of the oldest in the whole family, hence its name: Goliath (or Hercules).

This insect is the largest in the world: it measures more than 10 centimeters in length.

It can be found in the rainforests of Africa, and when it flies, it makes a sound similar to that of a helicopter.

It feeds on pollen, nectar, sap and fruit and, as an adult, on decaying corpses during the larval stage.