Insect Trivia – Beetles
- One fourth of all known animal and plant species are beetles. There are over 333,000 types of beetles.
- The largest of all insects is the Goliath Beetle. It grows up to 4.4 inches long and weighs up to 3.5 ounces.
- The longest beetle lives in South America it reaches lengths of over 6 inches.
- Some beetles are smaller than some single celled protozoa.
- The Bombardier beetle’s defense is to shoot acid at its attacker. It is capable of accurately shooting over 500 pulses of 100 degree centigrade acid per second.
- South African natives use the toxin from certain leaf beetles to make poisonous arrows.
- Some beetles have been used for many medicinal purposes including tooth aches, skin growth removal, and as a diuretic.
- Fireflies are actually beetles, as are lady bugs and some weevils.
- Rhinoceros Beetles are considered one of the strongest animals on Earth. They can carry 40 times their own weight for up to 30 minutes without getting fatigued.
