Beatrice Allen
Ever heard of a tank with six legs? Neither have I because technically it doesn’t exist, but it is a good way to describe an insect called the ‘diabolical ironclad beetle’ which is virtually indestructible!
Ever heard of a tank with six legs? Neither have I because technically it doesn’t exist, but it is a good way to describe an insect called the ‘diabolical ironclad beetle’ which is virtually indestructible!
Living on the West coast of the USA is a species of indestructible beetles, called the ‘diabolical ironclad beetle’. These 2 cm long insects are pretty tough and can survive being run over by a car! This amazing feat has baffled many scientists, along with the fact that when scientists study these uncrushable creatures they usually pin them to a board (poor beetle) however; the shell of the diabolical ironclad beetle is so tough that the pin usually bends instead of going through the exoskeleton! This is how the species got the nickname ‘pin-bender’. If that's not impressive check this out: scientists say that the beetle can stand up to pressure equal to 39,000 times it’s own body weight!! That is like a person (who weighs around 14 stone or 200 pounds) being able to withstand the pressure of 7.8 million pounds (35.4 million kilograms)!
Well, I know you’re asking yourself- how do they do it? Well, the secret behind their extreme strength lies in the way it’s exoskeleton is formed. So, here’s the thing: many beetles can fly and their fragile wings are generally kept concealed under two solid, moveable wing-like shells called elytra. The diabolical ironclad beetle lost the ability to fly long ago - due to evolution - but kept the elytra, which grew together in the centre of the beetle’s back. The way the diabolical ironclad beetle’s elytra is made and connected gives it its extra special strength. For instance, the shell is made of layers, which allow it to bend without breaking. It’s possible for some layers to break and for others to remain undamaged. However, it’s the way the sides of the elytra are connected that is most surprising, and rather ingenious. The sides are fused together like two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, this makes them difficult to separate, even under great pressure!
So there you have it: the science behind one of the toughest of beetles and although this small-scale superhero only lives for two years it’s superpowers are not one to be reckoned with, so watch out all villainous insects.
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