Run A Car Over This Beetle and It Will Survive

• 1

  An indestructible beetle

  

  The diabolical ironclad beetle is aptly named. Measuring an inch long, the beetle can be stomped on, jumped on, and even run over by a car - and still survive. Predators have practically zero chance of cracking open the diabolical ironclad beetle, and if they avoid getting swallowed whole, they can live for up to eight years - which is equivalent to a human living for several thousand years. But how did this tiny beetle get to be so indestructible? 

  Via ED Times
• Advertisement
• 2

  The secret is in the exoskeleton

  

  The diabolical ironclad beetle has an "un-squishable" shape: that is, the beetle is relatively flat and low to the ground. In many of the experiments carried out, it was found that the beetle could withstand 39,000 times it's body weight before being crushed. That's equivalent to holding 40 M1 Abrams battle tanks on your shoulders. 

  In addition to being flat, the beetle has interlocked and impact-absorbing exoskeleton structures. These parts of the exoskeleton are interconnected like a zipper around the beetle's vital organs, which are still and don't bend under pressure. The back half of the beetle's exoskeleton is not as closely interlocked, allowing some flexibility. This allows the beetle to absorb the pressure of being squished into a part of it's body that's safer (i.e. not where it's vital organs are). 

  Via Science News
• 3

  Engineering inspiration

  

  Additionally, the diabolical ironclad beetle has a rigid joint that connects the right and left sides of its back. These sides are connection by protrusions called blades that fit together like puzzle pieces. The blades are made from layers of tissue bonded together by protein, and when the beetle is squished, small cracks form in the protein glue between each blade. This means that the beetle can absorb impacts which create small but healable fractures. 

  The design of the diabolical ironclad beetle is the first of its kind found in nature, and will undoubtedly serve as inspiration for the engineering of stronger bridges, buildings, airplanes and other structures in the future. 

  Via Extreme Tech

Tags

Next on Home