Although they are not very attractive insects, there is no reason why you should kill the diabolical armored beetle ( Phloeodes diabolicus ). However, if it is what you propose, you will be completely wasting your time. According to scientific research, these insects can support the weight of a person and even that of a moving car. For this reason, it is a practically indestructible animal.
Why are they so resistant?
The shell of these insects is so powerful that it could inspire the development of materials with similar or identical characteristics. These materials, according to scientists at the University of California (United States) in a study published in the journal Nature , are rigid but as malleable as a paper clip.
Thus, according to the researchers, the resistance of these beetles lies in their two ‘elitrons’ (rigid forewings that in coleopterans cover the flexible wings) that in the form of armor are joined in a line (called suture) that runs through the abdomen of the insect.
In flying beetles, elytra protect the wings and facilitate flight. But the armored devil beetle has no wings. However, the elytra and the suture, where they meet, help distribute force evenly throughout the body. That is, their wings and their body in general are built to protect vital organs and withstand blows during crushing.
Investigation Development
To find out how this beetle’s exoskeleton responded, Professor David Kisailus of the University of California tested the limits of its protective covering. Using compressive steel plates, he concluded that the armored devil beetle can withstand approximately 1,500 kilograms of force, a load that is at least 39,000 times its body weight. Something completely extraordinary considering that the force of a tire when hitting one of these beetles is about 1,000 kilograms.
In addition, in other parallel investigations, Professor Kisailus was able to show that other species of beetles are not capable of supporting even half the weight of the armored diabolical beetle.
On the other hand, according to the researchers, its body is structured to avoid an impact on the neck, an area where the beetle’s exoskeleton is most likely to fracture. Thus, the design of this beetle could have multiple applications in the construction of machinery, especially in cars, bicycles or even airplanes.
