The diabolical ironclad beetle is practically indestructible. The diabolical ironclad beetle, found in Southern California's woodlands, can withstand compression of about 39,000 times its own weight. In October, scientists discovered how its body does that. That's right, its crush-resistant structures makes it nearly indestructible, specifically, its elytra. The diabolical ironclad beetle dwells in desert regions of western North America. Researchers learned the exoskeleton found on a diabolical ironclad beetle contains around 10% more protein by weight compared to the average beetle. Now, scientists know what makes the diabolical ironclad beetle so “uncrushable.” In a paper published in the journal Nature, researchers found that the […] They found that the diabolical ironclad beetle can withstand a force of about 39,000 times its body weight. More Ironclad Beetle Facts And Questions. Now scientists know why. A diabolical ironclad beetle, or Phloeodes diabolicus. Using compressive steel plates, UCI researchers found that the diabolical ironclad beetle can take on an applied force of about 150N before the exoskeleton begins to fracture. 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. Another impressive creature, diabolical ironclad beetle, can get squished under 39,000 times its body weight and make it out alive. When they compared the diabolical ironclad beetle's exoskeleton to that of a similar beetle, they found that the ironclad had significantly more protein - about 10 percent more by weight. A 200-pound man would have to endure the crushing weight of 7.8 million pounds to equal this feat. Drive over the beetle in your car and it won't even break a sweat. 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, as its name suggests, one tough insect.Clad in super-tough body armour, the beetle can survive the heaviest of forces - as much as being run over by a car. Photo credit: Kurt Komoda Photography . Rivera collected the beetles from sites around the Inland Empire campus and brought them back to Kisailus’ lab to perform compression tests, comparing the results to those of other species native to Southern California. This exoskeleton, the team found, is composed of chitin, a fibrous material derived from glucose, and a protein matrix. A beetle that lives under tree bark can withstand crushing forces 39,000 times its body weight. 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. The elytra are basi The beetle is so tough it can survive getting run over by a car. It can withstand forces 39,000 times its body weight. The study found that the diabolical ironclad beetle’s super-toughness lies in its two armorlike “elytron” that meet at a line, called a suture, running the length of the abdomen. A stink beetle or a Namibian beetle are more rounded. When they compared the diabolical ironclad beetle’s exoskeleton to that of a similar beetle, they found that the ironclad had significantly more … Using compressive steel plates, UCI researchers found that the diabolical ironclad beetle can take on an applied force of about 150 newtons — a load of at least 39,000 times its body weight — before the exoskeleton begins to fracture. The diabolical ironclad beetle (Phloeodes diabolicus) is found mainly in the US and Mexico, where it lives under the bark of trees or beneath rocks. The diabolical ironclad beetle can survive loads of about 39,000 times its body weight. They found that the diabolical ironclad beetle can withstand a force of about 39,000 times its body weight. Scientists say the armor of the seemingly indestructible beetle could offer clues for designing stronger planes and buildings. The study found that these diabolical ironclad beetle-inspired designs provided enhanced strength and significantly increased toughness compared to a commonly used engineering joint. PICTURED: The diabolical ironclad beetle in focus. They found that the diabolical ironclad beetle can withstand a force of about 39,000 times its body weight. This seemingly benign, relatively small beetle lives in oak tree forests i Another impressive creature, diabolical ironclad beetle, can get squished under 39,000 times its body weight and make it out alive. ( David Kisailus) Zavattieri’s lab followed up these experiments with computer simulations and 3D-printed models that isolated certain structures to better understand their role in saving the beetle’s life. He’s a materials scientist at the University of California, Irvine. Ironclad beetles (Phloeodes diabolicus) measure about 0.6 to 1 inch (15 to 25 millimeters) in length, and are found in woodland habitats in […] Thanks to its almost indestructible body armor, this beetle can get stomped on or run over by a car and live to tell the tale. It’s called the “diabolical ironclad beetle” and scientists are intrigued. Ironclad beetles (Phloeodes diabolicus) measure about 0.6 to 1 inch (15 to 25 millimeters) in length, and are found in woodland habitats in western North America, where they live under tree bark. The diabolical ironclad beetle (Phloeodes diabolicus) is one tough insect. Among their findings, they discovered that the beetle’s fused elytra were interlocked. The diabolical ironclad beetle can withstand forces up to 39,000 times its body weight. The materials would be stiff but ductile like a paper clip, making machinery such as aircraft gas turbines safer and longer-lasting, according to the new study in Nature.. CC 2.0 Sporting perhaps the best name of any animal in nature, the “diabolical ironclad beetle” is a true marvel of evolution. For context, that is equivalent to a 200-pound man enduring the weight of 7.8 million pounds. During compression tests, lead author Jesus Rivera, a graduate student in the lab of David Kisailus, discovered that the diabolical ironclad beetle can withstand a force of about 39,000 times its body weight. It has a distinctly hard-to-squish shape, notes David Kisailus. Live Science tells about its lifestyle. The diabolical ironclad beetles had had a greater number of interlocking sections. The study found that these diabolical ironclad beetle-inspired designs provided enhanced strength and significantly increased toughness compared to a commonly used engineering joint. Learn more about the UC-Irvine's work with these beetles. To me, it looks exactly like it’s encased in cast iron. In October, scientists discovered how its body does that. Rivera collected the beetles from sites around the Inland Empire campus and brought them back to Kisailus’ lab to perform compression tests, comparing the results to those of other species native to Southern California. Sam Wells, in his blog post about the diabolical ironclad beetle, states: “How the species got its name is a mystery to me.”Personally, I don’t find it all that mysterious. The diabolical ironclad beetle is so tough, in fact, that if you run one over with a car, it just walks away. This exoskeleton, the team found, is composed of chitin, a fibrous material derived from glucose, and a protein matrix. The ‘diabolical ironclad beetle’ can withstand enormous crushing force more than 39,000 times its own body weight, enough to survive being run over by a car. 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