Hobbies And Interests
Body Sections
Beetles, like most insects, have three major body sections: the head, the thorax and the abdomen. The head is considered the command center, the thorax is the powerhouse and the abdomen is the refueling station, and the reproductive factory.
The Head
The head, like in most other species of animal, contains the eyes, mouth, and brain of the animal. Beetles are equipped with one pair of extremely sensitive antennae used for locating food, maneuvering around obstacles, finding a mate, and a place to lay their eggs. The eyes of the beetle are compound, meaning that they are divided into many different compartments. They are extremely sensitive to movement, allowing the bug to quickly find food and sense danger. Beetles are even thought to see in color.
Some species of beetles have an additional appendage, such as a horn, that can be used during territorial battles or in skirmishes over a mate.
The Thorax
The thorax is the located at the heart of the bug, literally. Housing most of the vital organs and serving as the attachment point for the six legs and wings, the thorax is the powerhouse of the bug. Some desert-dwelling beetles can store water under their wings to aid in their survival in the hot, arid climate. In water-dwelling species, these same pockets are used to store air, allowing the beetle to spend long periods of time under the water.
The Abdomen
The abdomen is where digestion and reproduction take place. The abdomen is the rear most section of the beetle and is most often the largest and most vulnerable. As with most other species of animal, excretory functions are also carried out in this region.
Exoskeleton
Beetles are covered in a hard shell called an exoskeleton that takes the place of an internal skeleton and serves to protect the bug's soft tissues. The exoskeleton also covers the wings, but is hinged at the connection point at the thorax, allowing the wings to expand and facilitating flight.