fuckyeahbeetles

Members of the Buprestidae family, like this golden buprestid (Buprestis aurulenta), are often called 'jewel beetles' due to their spectacular iridescent colours and patterns. This iridescence comes from the way microscopic textures in their cuticle reflect certain frequencies of light, much in the same way a CD does.

A coloured scanning electro micrograph of Tribolium castaneum, the red flower beetle.

A ladybird (Coccinella sp.) lifts its elytra (hardened protective forewings) and releases its hindwings in preparation for flight.

Orange blister beetle (Mylabris pustulata)

To defend themselves from potential predators, blister beetles (Meloidae) are known to secrete a toxic chemical called cantharidin that causes blistering to the skin. Diluted solutions of cantharidin are used as topical medication in the removal of warts and tattoos.

The red-femured milkweed borer (Tetraopes femoratus) takes its name from its habit of hosting on milkweed plants. The beetle is able to successfully ingest the plant's milky secretions, a substance that is toxic to most herbivores, making it poisonous or distasteful to potential predators.

There are around 1,200 different species of stag beetle (family: Lucanidae) who take their name from the male's large developed mandibles that resemble antlers. These appendages are used to wrestle and fight over mating sites.

While the banded alder borer (Rosalia funebris) are mostly found on dead or dying trees, they have been found to have a unique attraction to fresh paint, which researchers suggest is due to pheromones. A number of the beetles have even been found drowned in pots of paint at a paint shop in Ukiah, California.

Anthrenus verbasci, otherwise known as the varied carpet beetle, is arguably the most commonly known beetle in the dermestidae family (the skin beetles). Its larval stage's appetite for natural fibres and organic textiles has earned the species a fearsome reputation among museums and taxidermy collectors alike.

The species is believed to be the strongest animal on earth in relation to its size, and is able to carry objects of up to 850 times its own bodyweight. This is the equivalent of a human carrying the weight of six elephants.

This golden-spotted tiger beetle (Cicindela aurulenta) is recognisable from its giant bug eyes, bright colours and spots.

Water droplets on a ladybird (Coccinella sp.).

This particular specimen's abdomen is so full of eggs that her elytra (hardened forewings) are unable to completely protect her. 

Male specimens of the giant harlequin beetle (Acrocinus longimanus) use their elongated forelegs to fight off the competition when guarding females and oviposition (egg-laying) sites.

Ladybird (Coccinella sp.) in its pupal stage.

Photograph by John Hallmén of a leaf-rolling weevil (neocoenorrhinus aequatus), stacked from 121 exposures.