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Blue beetles are a fascinating group of insects that come in a stunning array of shades and sizes. While the name may make you think they’re all just…well, blue, the reality is these beetles can display a kaleidoscope of blue, green, purple and even pinkish tones.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these colorful critters, including some of the most common types of blue beetles found around the world.
What Makes Them Blue?
So what gives blue beetles their distinctive hue? The iridescent colors are created through structural colors rather than pigments.
The wings and exoskeleton of blue beetles contain very fine microscopic structures that reflect light at specific wavelengths, producing blues, greens, and purples that shimmer and shine. This is the same phenomenon that makes peacock feathers and butterfly wings so vibrant.
Diversity of Species
There are well over 300,000 species of beetles in the world, and a small but eye-catching portion of these are blessed with blue coloration Here are some of the most notable
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Blue fungus beetles – These aptly named beetles are a deep blue/black color with a metallic sheen. As their name suggests, they feed on fungus and inhabit damp, fungal-rich environments like decaying logs.
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Cobalt milkweed beetles – With their vibrant metallic cobalt hue, these beetles are specialized to feed on milkweed plants. They are found predominantly in western North America.
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Willow leaf beetles – Ranging from blue-green to dark blue, these chrysomelid beetles skeletonize the leaves of willow trees. They are an introduced species, native to Europe.
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Mint beetles – As you may have guessed, these brilliant blue beetles feed on mint plants. They are frequently found in gardens where mint is grown.
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Violet oil beetles – The striking violet-blue coloration of these beetles is matched by their fascinating life cycle. The larvae are parasites of solitary bees.
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Blue ground beetles – In addition to their blue-black elytra, these large ground beetles have an exceptionally long 2-year lifespan. They prey on slugs and snails.
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Alpine longhorn beetles – Reaching an impressive 1.5 inches long, these metallic blue and black beetles inhabit European beech forests. Their antennae can exceed 2 inches.
Pest or Beneficial Bug?
Blue beetles occupy a range of ecological roles. Many are important pollinators, moving pollen from flower to flower. Others feed on fungus and help break down decaying plant matter.
However, some species can become agricultural pests. For example, willow leaf beetles and mint beetles skeletonize the leaves of their host plants, while root weevils like the blue-green citrus root weevil damage citrus tree roots.
On the beneficial side, ladybugs with blue coloration are valued predators of scale insects and other crop pests. And the violet oil beetle, though parasitic to bees, pollinates flowers as an adult.
Finding Blue Beetles
Blue beetles inhabit diverse environments across the globe. To find them, keep an eye out in areas like:
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Flower gardens – Especially look for beetles on open white and yellow flowers where they collect pollen.
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Forests – Search under decaying logs and bark for fungus-feeding species and predatory ground beetles.
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Riparian zones – Willow trees along riverbanks and wetlands harbour willow leaf beetles.
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Grasslands and meadows – Look on low growing vegetation for pollen-feeding mint beetles and hopliid flower beetles.
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Farms & orchards – Check citrus groves and other crops for pest species like milkweed, dock, and mint beetles.
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Bee nests – Violet oil beetles can be spotted around the nests of their bee hosts.
Final Thoughts
What makes blue beetles so intriguing is their diversity – there are hundreds of species across multiple families, each with unique ecologies. And few other insect groups can rival their dazzling structural coloration.
Next time you’re out in nature, keep an eye out for a flash of blue scurrying by. Closer inspection may reveal one of these marvels of the beetle world. Just be sure to look and not touch, as some blue beetles can release irritating secretions in defense!
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Blue Beetle – Official Trailer
FAQ
What does the Blue Beetle do?
The third Blue Beetle, created by DC Comics, is Jaime Reyes, a teenager who discovers that the original Blue Beetle scarab morphs into a battle suit allowing him to fight crime and travel in space. Over the years, Reyes became a member of the Teen Titans and starred in two Blue Beetle comic series.
Is a Blue Beetle rare?
Being so rare and specialised, blue ground beetles are hard to spot! They’re also nocturnal and most likely seen climbing tree trunks after dark in search of slugs. They’re most active between March and June.
Who is the enemy of blue beetles?
All versions of the Black Beetle, who resemble versions of Jaime Reyes’ suit when bonded with the Scarab, are personal enemies of the Blue Beetle and his allies. The first was seemingly an older version of Jaime Reyes, and he attempted to change time so that Ted Kord lived and Jaime never became the Blue Beetle.
Are blue fungus beetles harmful?
As is the case for most insects, the pleasing fungus beetles are not harmful and they probably help in the decomposition of dead wood in forests and the recycling of nutrients back into the soil, where they can be used by growing plants.