Things to Know About Beetles: Habitat, Diet & More
If you like to garden or spend time in your yard, you have probably seen an adorable little beetle crawling around. Maybe you've seen one going up a tree at the park, wondering what he was headed off to do. For those who are curious about these little creatures, learn more about beetle habitats, diets, life span and other details about these insects.
Beetle Habitat
Beetles are one of those insects that can live almost anywhere. You have to know what type of beetle you are dealing with to know where it could be lurking. When you move to an area or new place, research the types of beetles that can live there to determine if they could be a household problem.
Place beetles thrive and live in are under logs and piles of wood, in mud piles, amongst decaying wood and other materials, beaches, mountains, grasslands, forests and deserts. Basically, if it isn't in the ocean or in the Polar regions, a beetle can live there.
Beetle Diet
Another moving variable for a beetle is their diet. Different species of beetle-like to eat different things. Clothing, wood, fruit, grains, oats, flour, roots, foliage, blossoms and various fabrics can all make a tasty snack for beetles. Some beetles even eat other dead insects.
Beetle Life Cycle
The beetle life cycle is made of four stages, with the adult females laying the eggs. Adult female beetles can lay anywhere from dozens to hundreds of eggs at a time. Egg, larva, pupa and adult are the four life cycles, with the larvae needing to eat to grow to get to the pupa stage, where they don't move or feed.
Depending on the species, a beetle will live for a few weeks up to quite a few years. Most beetles live for around a year, as a typical life span.
Beetle Communication
Beetles rely on vibrations, sounds and pheromones to communicate. They have poor eyesight, so they don't get around a whole lot with those buggy eyes.
Species like the lightning bug and fireflies glow in the dark as a way of communication, which is really cool to watch.
Beetles use these ways to communicate as a means to find traveling trails, to find themself a mate and to warn their beetle pals of any potential danger.
Fun Beetle Facts
Like with other insects, some species of beetles are helpful to the environment, and some are harmful. Certain species can wipe out crops, and others can help pollinate flowers. Some, like the ladybug, are considered good luck and are respected in certain cultures. That is why it is important to know which one you are dealing with.
There are over 300,000 species of beetles in the whole world, and around 12,000 types live in the United States alone. So, it's okay if you have no idea which one is in your yard.
Understanding the bugs and insects you come into contact with is a great start in making sure they don't move into your home, or, if they do, a first step in getting them to find a new place to live. Most beetles are just hungry insects that want a place to hang out, and learning about their habitats, diet and other aspects of their life is one way to educate yourself and keep these crawling creatures out in nature where they look best.
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