Dec 2, 2014 6:30 AM

Gallery: A Field Guide to the Strange and Surprising World of Beetles

Anthony Davies © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada
01
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*Proagoderus rangifer*: The very long, antler-like cephalic horns of the bright green males of this dung beetle species are among the most amazing structures of all beetles. Horns are used in battles against rival males. (All captions provided by Patrice Bouchard.)
Anthony Davies © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada
02
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*Onychocerus albitarsis*: This species is the first known longhorn beetle that has a sharply-pointed stinger at the end of each antenna. These scorpion-like structures have a swollen poison receptacle and paired grooves for the efficient delivery of the defense secretion to potential predators.

Anthony Davies © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada
03
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*Necrophila formosa*: Species in the family *Silphidae* are generally associated with dead animals. This Southeast Asian species has an orange pronotum but the rest of the body (elytra, head and appendages) is iridescent green to purple, which makes this a very attractive beetle. Individuals of this species have been recorded on the giant flowers of *Amorphophallus gigas*, which smells like rotting fish.
Anthony Davies © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada
04
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*Gagatophorus draco*: These remarkable flightless and armor-plated weevils have a very short nose (rostrum) compared to other weevils. The prominent spikes on the dorsal surface, which give the appearance of a medieval club, are thought to provide protection from predators or serve as camouflage.

Anthony Davies © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada
05
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*Mecynorhina torquata*: This large and common African beetle has recently been used in experiments to develop radio-controlled “cyborg beetles.” The flight of this beetle can be controlled remotely via an implantable neural stimulating system mounted behind the beetle's head.
Anthony Davies © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada
06
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*Calognathus chevrolati eberlanzi*: Males of this odd-looking darkling beetle from southwestern Africa are equipped with long, slender mandibles. Their legs end with specialized “sand shoes” that enable them to dig and tunnel in blown sand.

Anthony Davies © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada
07
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*Esemephe tumi*: This rare species of darkling beetle was discovered at high altitudes in a semi desert ecosystem in Peru. The remarkable shape of the semicircular head of this flightless beetle is reminiscent of the blade of an Incan cutting tool called “tumi,” a word which was used when naming this species in scientific literature.
Henri Goulet © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada
08
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*Hypocephalus armatus*: This uniquely shaped species from eastern South America is probably the most bizarre-looking of all longhorn and related beetles. Its elongate head with ventral projections and enlarged hind legs modified for burrowing give it the general appearance of a mole cricket.

Anthony Davies © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada
09
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*Camarotus singularis*: The sides of the elytra in this beetle are extremely expanded laterally and the unusually enlarged front legs of males bear a row of sharp teeth. Based on knowledge from other species in this genus, larvae of *Camarotus singularis* presumably mine the leaves of their host plants in Central American forests.

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