That’s One Successful Bug!

They’re everywhere! Under logs, in the grass, zipping by your face, skipping across the pond. No matter where you go, you can’t get away from them. Look in the fields, and they’re there. If you head to the desert, you’d find them. Run to the woods, and they’ll meet you there.

What are they? Beetles!

Nearly every place on earth has a wide assortment of these six-legged wonders. There are tons of them. In fact, some scientists think that a quarter of all animal species in the world are beetles (almost 390,000 species). God designed them to fill just about every nook and cranny on land all over our planet—and that’s exactly what they do. (So far, we haven’t found any down in Antarctica, but that’s about it.)

How can they live in so many different places? Because they’re built like army tanks that can also fly or burrow. All beetles have two coverings (sort of like armor) that shield their delicate inner wings. These keep them safe from dirt and other things that might tear them. When they’re in danger, they can wedge themselves into a cozy hideaway or soar through the air. They’re like tiny tanks with pop-out wings.

And it’s a good thing they fill the earth. Some help break down rotting trees to make the soil richer, some (like ladybugs) eat garden pests such as aphids, and some pollinate your favorite flowers. Not to mention the ones that light up the summer nights.

So don’t let beetles bug you. Even though they’re all over the place, they point to some incredible designs by our incredible Creator who designed every detail.

Parts of a Beetle

1. Antennae
2. Head
3. Prothorax
4. Abdomen
5. Elytra (hard outer wings)
6. Inner wings