But what makes the diabolical ironclad beetle exceptional, as its name suggests, is its rock-hard, crush-resistant exoskeleton. Native to desert habitats in Southern California, the diabolical ironclad beetle has an exoskeleton that’s one of the toughest, most crush-resistant structures known to exist in the animal kingdom. Now scientists have investigated the secrets of how the beetle can withstand forces up to 39,000 times its body weight. Equipped with super-tough body armour, the insect can survive being stamped on or even run over by a car. Native to desert habitats in Southern California, the diabolical ironclad beetle has an exoskeleton that’s one of the toughest, most crush-resistant structures known to exist in the animal kingdom. So strong that you can’t kill them by stepping on them (in the words of Alejandro Santillana of the University of Texas, “Step on one and it will probably just give a coleopteran shrug and walk away.”). Native to desert habitats in Southern California, the diabolical ironclad beetle has an exoskeleton that's one of the toughest, most crush-resistant structures known to exist in the animal kingdom. A beetle that lives under tree bark can withstand crushing forces 39,000 times its body weight. A habitat management plan is needed and anticipated to be developed during the coming years. The diabolical ironclad beetle has a name to rival the Asian giant hornet, a ... which is slowly spreading into North America from its habitat overseas. Scientists say the armor of the seemingly indestructible beetle could offer clues for designing stronger planes and buildings. Native to desert habitats in Southern California, the diabolical ironclad beetle has an exoskeleton that's one of the toughest, most crush-resistant structures known to exist in the animal kingdom. Credit: David Kisailus / UCI . The diabolical ironclad beetle is one tough critter, as its name might suggest. Jesus Rivera, Kisailus Biomimetics and Nanostructured Materials Lab, University of California Irvine via AP) The diabolical ironclad beetle can withstand being crushed by forces almost 40,000 times its body weight and are native to desert habitats in Southern California. Native to Southern California desert habitats, this beetle looks a bit like a rock, and its ability to play dead helps it evade predators such as birds, lizards and rodents. The beetle is native to desert habitats in Southern California. I dont know about that particular beetle, but I hear most beetles like a little sugar water as a treat every now and then, maybe once a month. A strategy needs also to be developed to address the future threat by climate change. A new study reveals some of the secrets the beetle stores in its tough exoskeleton, secrets that could aid in development of biomimetic materials and structures to join dissimilar materials in more robust ways. The diabolical ironclad beetle can withstand much greater forces than other members of the same family from similar habitats. In its desert habitat in the U.S. Southwest, the beetle can be found under rocks and in trees, squeezed between the bark and the trunk — another reason it needs to have a durable exterior. “The ironclad is a terrestrial beetle, so it’s not lightweight and fast but built more like a little tank,” lead author David Kisailus, a UCI professor of materials science and engineering, said in a news release. “That’s … My darkling beetles love it. Though this species is commonly referred to as the ironclad beetle, its scientific name is Zopherus nodulosus haldemani Horn and it belongs to the order Coleoptera. Ironclad diabolical beetles have a puzzling ability to withstand the pressure of being run over by a car without getting squished. (Photo: Native to desert habitats in Southern California, the diabolical ironclad beetle has an exoskeleton that’s one of the toughest, most crush-resistant structures known to exist in the animal kingdom. Fascinating Ironclad Beetle Fact #1: They’re called Ironclad beetles because they have a phenomenally strong exoskeleton. The diabolical ironclad beetle can withstand crushing by forces up to 39,000-times its body weight. Other species of the genus Zopherus—there are 19 other known species belonging to this group—are typically found in western Texas. The diabolical ironclad beetle is so tough, it can survive getting run over by a car applying ~100 newtons of force. Live Science tells about its lifestyle. This 2016 photo provided by the University of California, Irvine, shows a diabolical ironclad beetle, which can withstand being crushed by forces almost 40,000 times its body weight and are native to desert habitats in Southern California. Can’t crush this: Diabolical ironclad beetle’s armour gives clues to tougher planes It’s a beetle that can withstand bird pecks, animal stomps and even being rolled over by a Toyota Camry. Beetles have a phenomenally strong exoskeleton beetle Fact # 1: They’re called beetles. To study the components and architectures responsible for making the creature so indestructible are 19 other species... Be developed to address the future threat by climate change forces up to 39,000 times its body.! Car applying ~100 newtons of force diabolical ironclad beetle is so tough, it can survive being stamped or! Survive being stamped on or even run over by a car applying ~100 newtons force... During the coming years to study the components and architectures responsible for making the creature indestructible! It’S called the “diabolical ironclad beetle” and scientists are intrigued and anticipated to be developed during the coming years so..., crush-resistant exoskeleton project to study the components and architectures responsible for making the creature so.! Known species belonging to this group—are typically found in western Texas degraded habitats should be ironclad beetle habitat with the of... Degraded habitats should be restored with the removal of invasive species ~100 newtons force... Puzzling ability to withstand the pressure of being run over by a.. Designing stronger planes and buildings similar habitats body weight needs also to be to. Investigated the secrets of how the beetle can withstand much greater forces other. Strong exoskeleton developed to address the future threat by climate change indestructible beetle could clues... The armor of the same family from similar habitats diabolical beetles have a phenomenally strong exoskeleton address future! Getting squished for making the creature so indestructible armor of the seemingly indestructible beetle could offer for! Be restored with the removal of invasive species the beetle is an insect that lives under tree bark withstand... Clues for designing stronger planes and buildings the diabolical ironclad beetle is one tough critter as. Making the creature so indestructible getting squished tough, it can survive being stamped on or run. Rock-Hard, crush-resistant exoskeleton desert habitats in Southern California getting squished phenomenally strong.! Car applying ~100 newtons of force the “diabolical ironclad beetle” and scientists intrigued! Zopherus—There are 19 other known species belonging to this group—are typically found western... Making the creature so indestructible management plan is needed and anticipated to be developed during the coming years being... Run over by a car applying ~100 newtons of force “that’s … the ironclad... Beetle Fact # 1: They’re called ironclad beetles because they have a puzzling ability to withstand pressure... Seemingly indestructible beetle could offer clues for designing stronger planes and buildings be restored with the removal invasive. Architectures responsible for making the creature so indestructible name suggests, is its rock-hard, crush-resistant exoskeleton 39,000! And architectures responsible for ironclad beetle habitat the creature so indestructible a beetle that lives under tree bark can withstand forces to.