Beetle

Sure, I look like Flick, I'm a beetle too! You see, like him I have two hard wings, called elytra, which protect my other two wings.
There are so many different beetles! Scientists know about 400,000 species, just think that there are only 11,000 species of birds, far fewer! Every year, even in Italy, new species of beetles are discovered. When you see one, take a good look at it; maybe one day you could discover a new beetle too!
Some “famous” beetles you might encounter are the May bug which flies in May, the rhinoceros beetle with its horn, the diving beetle which swims in water, and the firefly which lights up the meadows in summer.
Beetles, both adults and those not yet adults (called “larvae”), live in many different environments. You can find them in woods, meadows, and ponds, but also on glaciers and in caves! Pretty much everywhere!


Focus: A sacred beetle!
The sacred scarab is a curious beetle that rolls a ball of dung with its legs. The Ancient Egyptians often drew or carved it, believing it was very special.