Smithsonian
National Zoological Park Beetles Exhibition
There are over 300 thousand different kinds of beetles in the world. Some beetles are colorful, cute and cuddly, or creepy and scary looking, but actually some may be harmless or even helpful. Here are some beetles that are harmless to you, even if they look creepy.
These beetles belong to:
There once was a Ladybug named Sue. Who had nothing what-so-ever to do. And who did it so badly, it was thought she would gladly have stopped before she was through.
Ladybug Beetle  4
Carrying the weight of the world, Patrick, the Rhino Beetle, is the heavyweight champion of the world. Barring horns to ward off the world, takes on other Rhino beetles who claim to rule the insect world.
Rhinoceros Beetle  6
There was a young Ground Beetle named Harold who was so benighted. He never knew he was slighted. He would go to a party and eat just as hearty, as if he’d been really invited.
Ground Beetle  8
Grown up Ladybugs are about the size of the top of your pinky finger (1-10 mm.) Black and red, orange, or yellow are the colors Ladybugs like to wear. If you’re lucky, they may show you their spots on their wings. Ladybugs have short antennae and short little legs. Their babies (larvae) are also colored black and red or orange.
They stay really active during the day, eating leaves and loving the summer sun and weather. Ladybugs have bright colors to scare off other animals that try to eat them. By the way, they really don’t taste very good. Ladybugs love to eat plants and leaves so they live on plants, mostly bushes, but sometimes trees or in grass.
Ladybug Beetle  10
The Rhinoceros Beetle is one of the strongest creatures on earth! Similar to a rhinoceros, the Rhino beetle has a large horn on its nose. His horn is for protection himself from other Rhinoceros Beetles who try to bully him or take his food. He also uses his horns for digging into the ground where he sleeps.
The Rhino beetle is about the size of both your hands put together side by side and weigh about the weight of a pair of scissors. Believe it or not, He can carry 850 times its own weight (the size of a really big apple). They like to eat tree sap and rotting fruit, like apples, pears, bananas, and oranges.
Rhinoceros Beetle  12
Ground Beetles are not harmful to humans. In fact, they actually help keep us safe by eating harmful bugs. They live around your home in dark, damp and cool places such as under rocks and tree bark. Ground Beetles sleep during the day, but come out from hiding at night to find food. Speaking of food, they eat worms, snails, and other beetles. Ground Beetles have their own tough beetle shell to protect they. They run fast with their long legs.
The Ground Beetle has a really big family with over 26 thousand known species from around the world, and as many as thousands still unknown. In Michigan there are as many as 450 species of Ground Beetles.
Ground Beetle  14
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Living beneath rocks and loose bark, the Bombardier Beetles are cool creatures to watch, but watch out, a don’t get too close to them. With temperatures reaching up to 212°F, the Bombardier Beetle shoots out a boiling-hot spray that will burn you! They spray their hot, toxic gas when they’re afraid and want to ru n aw ay. T h at m u st fe el te rr ib le !
Most bombardier beetles eat other insects and animals. They hunt on the ground or in trees. The bombardier beetle’s greatest enemy are ants. Ants attack in groups, so he needs his spray to help keep the ants away.
Bombardier Beetle  14
Flour beetles are enemies in your kitchen. They come in two colors, black and red. They will not bite or sting you, but they do love your Lucky Charms cereal! They love eating things that have flour in it which includes cereal. Grown up Flour Beetles can grow to be about the length of the top of your little pinky finger. Grown up Flour Beetles can crawl into packages that appear to be se al ed .
Flour Beetles can live as long as three years if they find a good source of food and if you don’t make a mistake and cook them in your pasta. So the next time you eat spaghetti, check to make su re yo u’re no t ea tin g a Flo ur Be etl e.
Flour Beetle 12
The Stag Beetle, also sometimes called the pinching bug, has huge jaws on his head called mandibles. Their jaws look like the antlers of a Stag deer who also have really big horns on their head. If not handled with care, they may pinch you very hard. Sometimes, their jaws can be so big that they may have a hard time walking.
Most stag beetles live around rotting logs where larvae feed. Once their eggs or larva hatch, they can take up to six years to become a full grown Stag Beetle. Stag beetles can’t eat solid foods so they like to eat fruits that have lots and
Stag B
lo t s o f ju ic e.
eetle 10
Terror, Scare-ya, will the Bombardier Beetle bare-ya. Baring a popping sound just to scare ya. Only to say tha t you scare d HIM!
Bombardier Beetle  8
Lucky Charms the Flour Beetle would say are a charm. To bring together all his friends to cause alarms. But say goodbye to your lovely Lucky Charms . Bee Flour
tle  7
There once was a beetle named Stag, who once in a pinch became really mad. To only find out, he was only sad because all his friends ran away very fast.
Stag Beetle  3
Beetles have many different ways of protecting themselves from becoming someone else’s lunch. Some beetles pulls their legs and antennae under their “shell,” just like a turtle. Then there are beetles who just have large jaws or pointy spikes. Here’s a few you should stay away from.
These beetles belong to:
Smithsonian
National Zoological Park Beetles Exhibition