Thanks to a grant from the National Science Foundation, researchers have been able to delve deeper into the world of beetles, one of the most diverse groups of animals on Earth. Beetles make up about 22 percent of all described life forms, and the Field Museum alone houses around five million beetle specimens. These creatures range from the captivating lightning beetles, known for their enchanting light displays, to the mighty rhinoceros beetles, which can lift 850 times their own weight. Some beetles, like the rove beetles, carry potent toxins that can cause burns if they come into contact with human skin. However, many beetles, such as the unassuming darkling beetles, often go unnoticed despite their intriguing characteristics.
Dr. Margaret Fair is involved in a project aimed at making beetles and their associated data more accessible to researchers. With around 400,000 described beetle species and potentially a million more yet to be discovered, the task is monumental. Darkling beetles, in particular, are a large family with about 20,000 described species. They are characterized by their thick, hard exoskeletons, clubbed antennae, and varying numbers of tarsal segments on their legs. These beetles are found worldwide, thriving in dry environments but also inhabiting moister areas.
In North America, there are approximately 1,200 species of darkling beetles. Among them, the pie plate beetles are notable for their flat shape, which helps them navigate sandy terrains in the U.S., Australia, and Africa. Another interesting group is the forked fungus beetles, found in Illinois. The males have prominent horns on their prothorax, likely used in courtship rituals. These beetles have developed unique defense mechanisms, such as locking their legs into grooves on their underside and using their hard exoskeletons for protection. They can also release a chemical cocktail to deter predators.
Other darkling beetles, like the desert stink beetle, have evolved chemical defenses, spraying noxious chemicals at threats. Some beetles mimic the stink beetle’s defensive stance to avoid predation. In the American Southwest, the blue death-feigning beetles are known for their ability to play dead and their distinctive blue color, which is due to a wax coating that helps retain moisture and provides sun protection.
Darkling beetles are particularly interesting for studying how animals adapt to arid environments, offering insights into climate change adaptation. Entomologists are working to digitize beetle collection data, making it more accessible for research on species distribution and habitat changes. Despite the challenges posed by the vast number of beetle species and specimens, this research holds great potential for enhancing our understanding of global changes.
The natural world is filled with remarkable beauty, and even seemingly simple creatures like darkling beetles have incredible stories and adaptations to share. By studying these fascinating insects, we can gain valuable insights into the complexity and resilience of life on Earth.
Create a presentation on the diversity of beetles, focusing on their unique adaptations and ecological roles. Use visuals and data from the article to highlight different beetle species, such as lightning beetles, rhinoceros beetles, and darkling beetles. Present your findings to the class, emphasizing the importance of beetle research in understanding biodiversity.
Take a virtual tour of the Field Museum’s beetle collection. As you explore, take notes on the various beetle specimens and their characteristics. Write a reflection on how the museum’s collection contributes to scientific research and what new insights you gained about beetle diversity.
Participate in a workshop where you design a hypothetical beetle species adapted to a specific environment. Consider factors such as climate, predators, and available resources. Present your beetle’s adaptations and explain how they help it survive and thrive in its environment.
Analyze a dataset related to beetle species distribution and habitat changes. Use statistical tools to identify patterns and trends. Discuss your findings with your peers, focusing on how these patterns might relate to climate change and environmental adaptation.
Engage in a debate on the conservation priorities for beetles. Research the ecological importance of beetles and the threats they face. Argue for or against increased funding and resources for beetle conservation, using evidence from the article and additional scholarly sources to support your position.
Thanks to a grant from the National Science Foundation for making this research and this video possible.
Beetles are arguably the most diverse order of animals, representing an incredible 22 percent of the described life on Earth. It’s no surprise that the Field Museum holds an estimated five million specimens within our insect collection. Some are wonderfully charismatic, like lightning beetles that put on romantic light shows, while rhinoceros beetles grow so large they can lift 850 times their own weight. Some rove beetles have bodies full of potent toxins that can cause serious burns if crushed against our skin. However, many others are easier to overlook, like the tiny darkling beetles, which are pretty nondescript and just look like normal black beetles. But I have a feeling there’s more to them than meets the eye.
I’m talking with Dr. Margaret Fair, who is helping with a project to make these beetles and the data associated with them more accessible to researchers. I want to find out why they’re getting so much attention.
There are a lot of beetles on this planet. Do you have an estimation for how many species there are?
There are around 400,000 described species so far, but there must be at least a million because new species are being described and discovered every year. Most of them are quite small, often too small to register as actual life forms to the untrained eye. After you get used to it, you can pull a piece of bark off a log and recognize a featherwing beetle that’s about a millimeter long.
Today we’re talking about darkling beetles, which I know nothing about. They are a pretty big family, with around 20,000 described species so far. They look similar but range in size and form.
What makes a darkling beetle a darkling beetle? They have a very thick, hard cuticle, typically have a club at the end of their 11-segmented antennae, and their antennae come out from under a little shelf above the eyes. They have different numbers of tarsal segments on their three pairs of legs.
Do they live in just one kind of environment? They occur worldwide but tend to be most diverse and abundant in dry places, as they’ve adapted to living in such environments. However, they can also be found in moister habitats.
In North America, there are about 1,200 species. Do you have a particular species of darkling beetle that you like?
I like the pie plate beetles, which are flat and have developed that shape in the U.S., Australia, and Africa. This shape helps them stay on top of the sand while they dig down.
You mentioned another group of beetles that you have a fondness for. What are we looking at here?
These are forked fungus beetles, which can be found in Illinois. The males have two big horns on the prothorax, which they likely use in courtship.
These tiny forked fungus beetles have unique adaptations. They lock their vulnerable legs in specially shaped grooves on their underside and rely on their hard exoskeletons for protection. If they detect a mammal’s breath, they can eject a cocktail of chemicals from their abdomen that can cause irritation and nausea.
Other beetles in the darkling family also have chemical defenses. For example, the desert stink beetle can spray a mist of noxious chemicals at predators. Interestingly, some beetles mimic the stink beetle’s stance to avoid being attacked.
Living in the deserts of the American Southwest are the blue death-feigning beetles. They can’t spray chemicals, but they are excellent at playing dead when startled. Their blue color comes from a thin wax coating that seals in water and acts as a natural sunscreen.
Many darkling beetles are uniquely adapted to arid environments, making them interesting for studying how animals adapt to climate change.
Entomologists are particularly interested in making this information more available to one another as part of a movement to digitize collection data. This makes it more accessible for research on species distributions and habitat changes.
Beetles and insects have great potential to contribute to our understanding of global changes. The biggest barrier is the sheer number of species and specimens, which makes data collection time-consuming.
The natural world is full of stunning beauty, and even seemingly simple lives like those of darkling beetles have incredible stories to tell and amazing adaptations to explore.
Beetles – A group of insects belonging to the order Coleoptera, characterized by their hard exoskeleton and forewings that are modified into protective covers. – Beetles play a crucial role in ecosystems as decomposers, helping to break down organic matter and recycle nutrients.
Darkling – A term often used to describe beetles of the family Tenebrionidae, which are known for their ability to thrive in dark, arid environments. – Darkling beetles have evolved to survive in desert habitats by developing adaptations such as water retention mechanisms.
Adaptations – Biological traits or characteristics that have evolved over time to help an organism survive and reproduce in its environment. – The thick fur of polar bears is an adaptation that provides insulation against the extreme cold of the Arctic environment.
Environment – The surrounding conditions, including physical, chemical, and biological factors, that affect the growth, development, and survival of organisms. – Changes in the environment, such as increased pollution, can have significant impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Species – A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring, sharing common characteristics and genetic makeup. – Conservation efforts are crucial to protect endangered species from extinction due to habitat loss and climate change.
Research – The systematic investigation and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions, often used to advance scientific knowledge. – Recent research in marine biology has uncovered new insights into the complex social behaviors of dolphins.
Toxins – Poisonous substances produced by living organisms that can cause harm to other organisms when introduced into the environment. – The accumulation of toxins in aquatic ecosystems can lead to detrimental effects on fish populations and water quality.
Habitats – The natural environments in which organisms live, providing the necessary conditions for their survival and reproduction. – The destruction of natural habitats due to urbanization poses a significant threat to wildlife conservation.
Climate – The long-term patterns of temperature, humidity, wind, and precipitation in a particular region, influencing the types of organisms that can live there. – Climate change is causing shifts in species distributions as organisms adapt to new temperature and precipitation regimes.
Entomologists – Scientists who study insects, their biology, behavior, ecology, and the roles they play in ecosystems. – Entomologists are crucial in understanding the impacts of insect populations on agriculture and natural ecosystems.
