How Diabolical Ironclad Beetle Withstand Loads 39000 Times Its Own Bodyweight?
- bioworld090
- Jul 21, 2022
- 2 min read
Image Source: ScienceNews
The diabolical ironclad beetle, scientific name Nosoderma diabolicum, is a 2-2.5 cm long, flightless beetle of the family Zopheridae that is found in the deserts of western North America.
The beetle is probably the toughest animal in the animal kingdom. Researchers say that it can withstand a maximum force of 149N or a load of around 39000 times its own body weight. Its armour also bends the pin that entomologists use to mount insects for display.
Image Credit: Dailymail
How does it actually withstand so much weight?
The ability of the diabolical ironclad beetle to withstand such a great amount of force is due to three factors.
BODY SHAPE
The ironclad beetle is flat and low to the ground. This ensures the distribution of applied force all over its surface rather than concentrated in a narrow area.
FUSED ELYTRA
The left and right elytron(plural elytra) of these beetles are fused forming a suture in the middle. At the suture, a series of protrusions, called blades, join the left and right sides of the beetle, like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
Image Source: BERKELEY LAB
The jigsaw puzzle-like connection between the elytra delaminates or breaks into layers rather than snapping on the application of force.
CONNECTION BETWEEN ELYTRA AND EXOSKELETON
The fused elytra and the exoskeleton meet at the sides of the beetle's body and form lateral supports. These lateral supports are of three types: interdigitated, latching and free standing.
Image source: BERKELEY LAB
The interdigitated lateral supports are intertwined like fingers and are found near the upper section of the body where the vital organs are located. The complex interdigitation protects the vital organs.
Moving further toward the tail section, latching and free-standing lateral supports are found. These lateral supports can shift or slide in relation to each other on the application of external force.
Here is a video of diabolical ironclad beetle being run over by a car.
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