Insects make up more than half of all known organisms on the planet. And creatures in the order Coleoptera—a.k.a. beetles—account for at least a third of those insects. These little guys deserve our attention and appreciation! So, here are five fascinating facts about beetles.
1) It’s a massive group of insects. There are at least 350,000 named species of beetles in the world, and entomologists estimate that there might be as many as two million. We just haven’t discovered all of them yet.
2) Even bugs that don’t seem like they should be beetles are beetles. For example, ladybugs, fireflies, potato bugs, and the flashy-looking but invasive emerald ash borer. If you’re wondering, What kind of bug is this? There’s a good chance that it’s a beetle.
Stop! Six creepy crawlies that you don’t want to squish
3) Entomologists have named newly discovered beetle species after celebrities including Robert Redford, Kate Winslet, Liv Tyler, and Stephen Colbert. Oh, and Darth Vader. He’s the most famous celebrity of all.
4) The first Volkswagen Beetle was actually called the Volkswagen Type 1. It wasn’t until 1968 that the car got its nickname (because its shape looked like a beetle’s, of course). And because “Type 1” doesn’t have much of a ring to it, we assume.
5) Some beetles are good parents. Burying beetles, for example, are unusual in that both parents stay with the larvae after they’re born. Mom and Dad keep the kids fed, clean the nursery—removing fungus and mould—and protect the babies from predators. Most insect parents don’t care for their young at all.
Cottage Q&A: Can bugs fly up between floorboards?
Related Story Meet 7 of cottage country’s tiniest creatures
Related Story Do you know the 4 strategies that wildlife uses to camouflage?
Related Story Wild Profile: Meet the midge