Ironclad Beetle vs Giant African Click Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ironclad Beetle | Giant African Click Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phloeodes diabolicus | Tetralobus flabellicornis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Zopheridae | Elateridae |
| Size | 15-25 mm | 40-60 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Root Feeders |
| Regions | North America | East Africa, Southern Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Ironclad Beetle
Has one of the toughest exoskeletons of any insect — it can withstand forces 39,000 times its body weight. Even entomological pins bend when trying to pierce its shell.
Did You Know?
This beetle is nearly indestructible — its exoskeleton can withstand being run over by a car. Engineers studied its shell design to develop stronger aircraft joints.
Giant African Click Beetle
Africa's largest click beetle, with impressive fan-shaped antennae in males. It can launch itself into the air with an audible click when placed on its back.
Did You Know?
It can catapult itself up to 30 cm into the air using a spring-loaded peg on its thorax.