Beetle

Adephaga

Predation

Beetles and larvae have evolved to employ a variety of different strategies for avoiding being eaten.

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Many employ simple camoflage to avoid being spotted by predators. These include the leaf beetles (family Chysomelidae) that have a green colouring very similair to their habitat on tree leaves.

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A number of longhorn beetles (family Cerambycidae) bear a striking resemblance to wasps, thus benefitting from a measure of protection. Large ground beetles by contrast will tend to go on the attack, using their strong mandibles to forcibly persuade a predator to seek out easier prey.

Related Topics:
Longhorn beetle - Wasp - Ground beetle - Mandible

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Many species, including lady beetles and blister beetles, can secrete poisonous substances to make them unpalatable.

Related Topics:
Lady beetle - Blister beetle

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