Beetles
Identification of beetles
The most common colours are black, brown, light brown and reddish brown.
They are less than a millimetre long, while others can grow over 15 centimetres long.
Beetles have hardened forewings, which protect their delicate hindwings and bodies. These forewings, known as elytra, form a hard, durable outer shell that helps protect them from environmental stressors.
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What are Beetles
Beetles are one of the most diverse groups of insects. They belong to the order Coleoptera, the most significant order of insects. They are fascinating creatures with unique behaviours that have evolved over millions of years. These small, wingless insects feed on plant material.
However, they can be a nuisance when they invade homes because they can damage property and spread harmful diseases. Understanding the characteristics of beetles helps prevent these nuisances on residential and commercial properties.
Beetles Behaviour
One typical behaviour among beetles is their ability to fly, which allows them to escape predators and find food. Some beetles even use their wings to produce sounds for communication or to attract mates.
Another interesting behaviour displayed by some beetle species is their ability to emit chemicals as a defence mechanism against predators. These chemicals can be highly toxic, causing severe reactions in the predator or simply unpleasant and foul-smelling, making the beetle less appetising as prey.
Social Behaviour: Many beetle species exhibit social behaviours, such as group cooperation and altruism. For example, some dung beetles work in pairs or small groups to move large dung balls for breeding purposes. This cooperative behaviour benefits both individuals involved by increasing reproduction efficiency and offspring survival rates.
Beetle Habitat
Have you ever wondered where beetles lived? They live in various habitats, including forests, grasslands, deserts, wetlands, and aquatic environments. Some beetles are known to inhabit specific niches, such as tree bark or decaying wood.
The habitat a beetle prefers depends on its species and lifestyle. For example, dung beetles thrive in pastures with plenty of animal waste, while ground beetles prefer living in soil rich with organic matter. Beetles, like fireflies, reside in warm environments with moist soil as larvae, while adults fly around open fields during summer nights.
What do Beetles Eat?
- Herbivorous beetles primarily feed on plants’ leaves, flowers, stems and roots. They can cause considerable damage to crops and garden plants. Examples include the Colorado potato beetle, which feeds on potatoes, tomatoes and other members of the nightshade family.
- Japanese beetles that attack roses and grapes, and weevils, which are the grain beetles that infest grains such as wheat and rice.
- Carnivorous beetles prey on other insects and small animals, such as snails and worms. They have specially adapted mouthparts for capturing their prey. Ground beetles are one example of carnivorous beetles that hunt at night for small invertebrates like slugs and spiders.
- In contrast, tiger beetles hunt ants in open areas such as beaches and riverbanks. Predatory diving water beetles also exist, which feed on small fish, tadpoles, etc., by catching them underwater as they swim, using their specialised legs to grip their prey tightly before consuming it wholeheartedly!
Beetle Lifecycle
Like all insects, beetles go through a complex life cycle consisting of four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
Egg Stage:
The beetle life cycle begins with the egg stage. Female beetles lay their eggs on or near a suitable food source for the larvae. The number of eggs laid varies by species, with some laying only a few and others laying hundreds. The eggs are usually small and oval-shaped, and may be white, yellow, or brown.
Larva Stage:
When the eggs hatch, the larvae emerge. Larvae are often called “grubs” and are typically long and cylindrical in shape. They have soft bodies and no wings, and their primary goal during this stage is to eat and grow. Larvae undergo multiple moulting stages as they grow, shedding their exoskeletons and replacing them with larger ones.
Pupa Stage:
After the larva has grown to full size, it enters the pupa stage. During this stage, the larva undergoes metamorphosis, transforming into an adult beetle. The pupa is usually enclosed in a cocoon or other protective structure and remains for several weeks or months.
Adult Stage:
The adult beetle emerges from the pupal case upon completion of metamorphosis. The adult beetle is fully formed and ready to mate and reproduce. Adult beetles have wings and can fly, and continue to feed and grow throughout their adult lives. Some beetle species live for only a few days, while others live for several years.
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Common Types of Beetles in Ontario
There are over 6,000 species in Canada alone, making it one of the most diverse beetle populations in the world. We will explore some of the most common types of beetles found in Canada
Ground Beetles
Ground beetles are common in Canada. They are typically black or dark brown, with long, narrow bodies and short legs. Ground beetles are active at night and often crawl on the ground, hence their name.
Lady Beetles
Lady beetles, also known as ladybugs, are one of the most recognizable types of beetles in Canada. They are known for their brightly coloured bodies, typically red or orange with black spots. Lady beetles are beneficial insects, as they feed on pests.
Weevils
Weevils are a type of beetle that is known for their long snouts. They are typically small and characterized by their rounded bodies and short legs. Weevils are often considered pests because they can damage crops and stored food.
Burying Beetles
Burying beetles are a type of beetle that is known for their unique behaviour. They are called burying beetles because they bury the carcasses of small animals, which they use as a food source for their larvae. Burying beetles are black in colour with orange or yellow markings.
Longhorn Beetles
Longhorn beetles are characterized by their long antennae. They are typically brown or black in colour with distinctive markings on their bodies. Longhorn beetles are often found on trees and can be pests, as they can damage bark and wood.
Grain Beetles
Grain beetles, or flour beetles, are small, reddish-brown insects that commonly infest stored grain products. Grain beetles are small insects found in stored grains, cereals, and other dry food products. These pests can cause severe damage to food supplies and reproduce quickly.
Drugstore Beetles
Drugstore beetles, also known as biscuit beetles or bread beetles, are small brown insects that feed on dry food products. They are found in households and commercial food storage facilities worldwide. The adult beetle is oval-shaped and measures about 2-3mm in length.
Furniture Beetles
Furniture beetles, also known as woodworms, are a type of beetle that primarily live and feed on wood. They can be found in various types of wood furniture, including chairs, tables, dressers, and cabinets. Their diet includes hardwoods and softwoods such as oak, ash, pine, and spruce.
Cigarette Beetles
Cigarette beetles are small insects that belong to the family of Anobiidae. They are also known as tobacco beetles, have an oval-shaped body that is reddish-brown, and measure about 2-3mm in length.
How to Prevent Beetle Infestation
- Firstly, ensure that your storage area is clean and free from food particles, dust or moisture. They thrive in dirty environments with plenty of organic matter to feed on.
- Secondly, use high-quality packaging materials such as vacuum-sealed bags or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids to store your tobacco products or dry foods. This will prevent the beetles from penetrating through the packaging material.
- Thirdly, invest in natural repellents, such as herbs or essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus, which have insect-repelling properties. You can place sachets of these herbs near your stored goods to keep the beetles at bay.
- Lastly, consider implementing a regular inspection routine for your storage area to catch potential problems early, before they get out of hand.
In case of seeing a lot of beetles, call Acme’s Pest Control Team in Toronto to get rid of the beetle infestation.
Frequently Asked Questions (Faqs)
Beetles are also incredibly important ecologically, as they play critical roles in pollination, decomposition, and nutrient cycling. Some beetles are herbivores, while others are carnivores, and some even feed on other insects.
Drugstore beetles can enter your home through various means, including cracks and gaps in the walls or foundation of your house. They may also hitchhike on infested products like grains or pet food, which you bring home from the grocery store unknowingly.
Furniture beetles can reproduce through oviposition, which involves laying eggs in crevices or cracks in the wood. The larvae that hatch from these eggs damage wooden furniture and structures.
At Acme Pest Solutions, we offer humane pest control, wildlife removal and bird management services. We remove the following pests:
- Ants
- Spider
- Wasps
- Termites
- Flies and mosquitoes
- Rodents
- Snakes