What do beetle larvae eat

For example, a beetle may be predatory in its larval stage but may be herbivorous as an adult. Aquatic beetles are found in a wide range of habitats. They are most frequently found in both fast and slow moving fresh water. Beetles inhabit every terrestrial and aquatic environment in the world except Antarctica. The greatest diversity of beetle species occurs in tropical regions. Most beetles tend to avoid open water because it makes them a target for predators; as a result, they have a tendency to live in sheltered areas that offer greater protection.

The majority of species dwell along the substrate making them 'benthic dwellers' , although different species inhabit different specific areas within aquatic environments. Many species can be found living in rock crevices, while others may create and live in little burrows within the substrate. The word 'Coleoptera' comes from the Greek words 'koleos', meaning sheath, and 'ptera', meaning wings. It refers to the hard sheath-like shells that adult beetles have to cover their softer hind wings.

The beetle is one of the world's strongest creatures: A species known as the rhinoceros beetle can carry up to times its own weight for short periods, and up to 30 times its weight for any length of time.

Proportionally, that is like a pound person walking with a car on his or her head! Some adult terrestrial beetles store water underneath their hard exoskeleton to help them survive in hot desserts. Adult aquatic beetles, such as the riffle beetle, carry their own oxygen supply in an air bubble underneath their hard shell. That is why riffle beetles must live in habitats with high oxygen levels, such as fast-flowing water with lots of riffles. By mimicking the behaviour and odour of ants, over terrestrial beetle species can live in the nests of ants.

Two families in the Coleoptera order are 'bioluminescent'. This means that they can glow. These families are more commonly known as fireflies and glow-worms. One species of beetle, known as the bombardier, can create a popping noise to scare predators away by mixing gases that are stored separately within their bodies.

Clean up crumbs and wipe down counters, floors and shelves immediately after eating. Keep a Clean Environment: Sweep all floors that may contain food sources and have a potential to become dirty. Vacuum carpets to free the area of pet hair and other animal fibers that attract beetles. Replace old and decaying wood trimmings or flooring that some beetles feed from. Clean, move, or dispose of plants that are beetle infested.

Seal holes and cracks around doors or windows that will allow access into your home. Inspect plants, carpets, and other materials before bringing them into your house. Keep beetles out of your home, naturally. All rights reserved. Household Materials 4. Insects 5. Other Animals References. Decaying Matter. Species of the Carrion beetles, Clown beetles, and the Scarab beetles are known to have this kind of diet. Other species of beetles residing in aquatic environments also feed on algae , and other decaying matter found underwater.

Aside from the leaves, there are also species of beetles that are capable of destroying and digesting the wood of trees. Other beetles like the rice weevils and primitive weevils feed on other plant parts like rice and other grains, and pollen grains of plants respectively. Household Materials. Other Animals. Water beetles eat tadpoles. Another awesome example is the adult whirligig beetles and their larvae.

These beetles are known to be carnivorous and feed on aquatic insects and crustaceans. Suggested Reading: Did you know that Spur-winged Goose becomes poisonous by consuming beetles?

Suggested Reading: Did you know that Hedgehogs and Orioles are the predators for beetles? Some beetle species are important predators of pests, and others do valuable clean-up jobs, getting rid of dung and breaking down dead plants.

A few species are now being used to eat problem weed plants as well. Most beetle species are abundant, and don't need to be especially conserved. Beetles that live in habitats that are getting changed or wiped out could be in trouble, and some beetles depend on certain plant species.

If the plant goes, they go. There is a species of aquatic beetle that only lives in a few rivers in northern Michigan. It is considered endangered. The heaviest insects in the world are beetles. There are some African and South American beetles that are as big as your fist! Animal Diversity Web Cybertracker Tools.

All rights reserved. Skip directly to main content. Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species. Critter Catalog. Information Pictures Classification. Local animals in this group: varied carpet beetle carabes, ground beetles lady beetles goldsmith beetle click beetles riffle beetles giant metallic ceiba borer cigarette beetle water-penny beetles. Additional information: Find information at Encyclopedia of Life. Coleoptera What do they look like? Other Physical Features ectothermic heterothermic bilateral symmetry polymorphic poisonous Sexual Dimorphism sexes alike female larger male larger sexes colored or patterned differently sexes shaped differently ornamentation Where do they live?

Biogeographic Regions nearctic introduced native palearctic introduced native oriental introduced native ethiopian introduced native neotropical introduced native australian introduced native oceanic islands introduced native What kind of habitat do they need?

These animals are found in the following types of habitat temperate tropical polar terrestrial freshwater Terrestrial Biomes tundra taiga desert or dune chaparral forest rainforest scrub forest mountains Aquatic Biomes lakes and ponds rivers and streams Wetlands marsh swamp bog How do they grow?