Coleoptera are known as beetles.
Scarab is a term with etymological origin in the Vulgar Latin scarabaius . The insects that are part of the Coleoptera group receive this name.
There are various types of beetles, so the name does not refer to a particular species but rather refers to an order (that is, to a certain taxonomic group). Being insects, all beetles are also arthropods : invertebrates whose body, made up of segments and covered by a cuticle, has bilateral symmetry and has appendages like artejos.
Characteristics of beetles
Beetles have a shell and two membranous wings covered by horny elytra. Their mouth is prepared for chewing, with mouthparts suitable for this purpose.
In the abdomen of the beetle it is possible to differentiate nine or ten segments, while the thorax is divided into metathorax , mesothorax and prothorax .
These animals develop a complete metamorphosis . In this way, they go through three stages throughout their life (from larva to pupa, and from pupa to imago).
Coleoptera can feed on plants, fruits, seeds, other animals, excrement, wood or corpses, depending on the species . They are often considered pests due to the damage they cause to crops.
The Beetle is a car manufactured by Volkswagen that achieved great popularity.
Some species
It is common for dung beetles or bolero beetles to be simply referred to as beetles. The most notable feature of these insects is that they feed on manure , with which they also make balls that they use to introduce their eggs.
Rhinoceros beetles , for their part, stand out for their large size and for having one or more horns on their heads . These protuberances are used by males to confront each other when looking for a mate.
Burying beetles , in turn, base their diet on dead animals. Forensic entomology can analyze the presence of these species in a corpse to estimate the time of death.
The Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen Type 1 is known as the Beetle , a car that the German company manufactured between 1938 and 2003 . Due to its characteristic design, its low cost and its limited fuel consumption, the Beetle became one of the most famous cars in the world.
Throughout history , different models of this vehicle were produced. The designation of the cars varies depending on the country, using nicknames and names such as Beetle , Beetle , Sedan , Coccinelle , Fusca , Bocho and Cucaracha , among others.
The Beetle appears in numerous films and television series. Herbie , for example, is the name of a Volkswagen Beetle that is the central character of the franchise called “Motorized Cupid” in Latin America .
It is interesting to note that, between 1998 and 2019 , Volkswagen was responsible for the production of the New Beetle or New Beetle , a model inspired by the traditional Type 1 although with different mechanics and another structure.
Marvel characters
Several Marvel Comics characters are known as the Beetle , a name that is also applied to various armors. In 1964 he first appeared as the alter ego of the villain Abner Jenkins .
"The Avengers", “Iron Man” y “Spider-Man” son algunas de las sagas donde hay personajes mencionados como Beetle. Dicha presencia se da en revistas, series animadas y otras works.