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Table of Contents
Beetles
The largest of all orders
Beetles are a group of insects that form the order Coleoptera which is the largest of all orders with about 400,000 species. It includes almost 40% of described insects and 25% of all known animal life-forms. 1)
Origin of a name
The English name beetle derivates from the Old English word bitela, meaning little biter, which is related to bītan (to bite), and finally leads to the Middle English betylle. 2)
100 families of beetles
In the United States, there are about 100 families of beetles. Weevils are the largest family of insects and the largest family of beetles. 3)
The smallest beetle
The smallest beetle in the world is called Scydosella musawasensis. This on-parasitoid insect is approximately 325 µm (0.325 mm). 4)
The longest beetle body
The beetle with the longest body in the world is the titan beetle Titanus giganteus of South America. Its body is 6 in (15 cm) long. 5)
Tiger beetles
Tiger beetles are in the runner family that is fierce predators, doggedly pursuing their prey. With their slender legs and elongated feet, they can move very quickly and are the fastest insects running on the ground. 6)
Glow-worm
Individuals of both sexes of the glow-worm (Lampyris noctiluca) differ greatly in appearance. The male is winged, while the larva-like female is not winged. Females have light organs on the underside of their abdomen. 7)
Spanish fly
Cantharid (Latin: Lytta vesicatoria) is a beetle in the oleic family known by the misleading name “Spanish fly”. It feeds mainly on ash trees. For self-defense, the insect produces a highly irritating substance called cantharidin, which has been used as an aphrodisiac since ancient times. 8)