Hobbies And Interests
Named After What They Eat
Some beetles are named after what they eat. They may or not be pests and some are beneficial. The Narrow Snail Eater eats snails and slugs, carrion beetles consume dead animals, carrot beetles eat not only carrots but beets and potatoes, and sawyers and borers infest not only living wood but furniture and floors. There are also the bee parasite beetle and cucumber and potato beetles.
Named for Their Looks
The Splendid tiger beetle was named for two characteristics. It has a metallic green and blue elytra, but the larvae evokes the tiger aspect. It burrows a foot deep in the soil, then waits with opened jaws for a passing insect. When the insect touches the larva its jaws snap shut. The Splendid tiger beetle is found in the evergreen forests of Eastern North America. The rhinoceros beetle is one of the largest beetles in the world and can be up to 60-mm long. It has one horn on the top of its head and another projecting from the middle of the thorax, which makes it look like a rhinoceros. Both horns are forked and can be brought together for a weak pinch. Only the male has these horns, and two males will fight each other over a female. The beetle hisses and squeaks when it's disturbed, but it's harmless to humans. The rhinoceros beetle lives in the tropical forests of Asia. The American Stag Beetle recalls the rhinoceros beetle and can grow just as big. It doesn't have horns but the male has huge mandibles, or jaws. Males also fight over females. They live in Europe and in forests of the Southern United States.
Named for What It Does
The Whirligig beetle is around 4 mm long and is found in schools at the edges of lakes, streams and ponds. They look for prey and when they're disturbed they bunch together and swim in circles, which gives them their name. They're found in eastern North America. The dung roller beetle is 10 to 18 mm long and gathers fresh dung, which it rolls into a ball. The female lays an egg in the center, then buries it with the help of the male. They can be found mainly in the southern United States.
Named for Their Beauty
The Glorious beetle is from 20 to 28 mm long and has a bright green carapace with silver stripes on the elytra, which helps camouflage it during the day. It can be found in Texas, Arizona and northern Mexico. Since it's endangered, it shouldn't be collected. The Arizona gold beetle has a pitted carapace that seems gilded. It ranges from 11 to 13 mm long and is found in the southwestern desert.