Anatomy<\/h3>\n
B<\/big>eetles are relatively large and stout insects. Unlike in other insect groups, the two hind segments of the thorax are fused to one part, the pterothorax. The prothorax bears on the back a particularly large chitinous shield, the pronotum. The back shield of the mesothorax (the front part of the pterothorax) is visible as a small triangle between the wing covers, the scutellum. The pterothprax with the two hind pairs of legs and the wings actually seems to belong to the abdomen, as there is no incision between the thorax and the abdomen. Only the hind wings are used in flight, while the front wings have been transformed into rigid, protective wing covers (elytra), under which the membranous hind wings are held folded together. When flying, the wing covers are spread out; they generate the lift, while the hind wings generate the propulsion.<\/p>\n
![\"Beetle](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/anisoplia_spec-3.jpg\")
\nThe head of most beetles is rather small. Behind it lies the prothorax which carries the front pair of the legs; its large back shield is called pronotum. The two hind segments of the thorax, the pterothorax with the wings and the two hind pairs of legs is merged the abdomen. In this specimen, you can see the folded membranous hind wings protruding from under the rigid wing covers, the elytra.<\/small><\/p>\n
![\"Beetle](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/beetle_underside-1.jpg\")
\nOn the underside of the beetle, the sterna (ventral shields) of the middle and hind thoracic segments, to which the two hind pairs of legs are attached, cover more than half of the abdomen. The abdominal sterna can be seen behind them as narrow rings.<\/small><\/p>\n
![\"Ladybird](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/exochomus_starting_to_fly.jpg\")
\nLadybirds always try to climb to the highest point for takeoff. There they spread their elytra (rigid wing covers) to the sides and unfold the membranous wings underneath.<\/small><\/p>\n
T<\/big>he antennae of beetles are sometimes particularly long and can be thread-like, club-shaped or fan-shaped. The compound eyes are more or less round or nestle in a semicircle around the base of the antennae. The mouthparts are always of the chewing-and-biting kind. The chitinous exoskeleton may bear hairs, scales or thorns and sometimes has a metallic colouring, which is caused by a special surface structure.<\/p>\n
B<\/big>eetles are a very old animal group with the first beetles fossils dating back to the Permian. The long evolution of the order of beetles is perhaps one reason for their great diversity and for the development of a wide variety of appearances, body types and ways of life compared to many other insect groups.<\/p>\nBiology and reproduction<\/h3>\n
B<\/big>eetles are found in all habitats on Earth except Antarctica and the oceans. Many species are predatory, others eat plants or live on dead organic material such as wood, feathers, carrion or faeces. Decomposers and waste recyclers in particular often play a crucial role in the ecosystems. Many beetles are highly specialised and live on a single plant species, while others are very adaptable and found worldwide. Several species have adapted to life in or on fresh water. Some species live parasitically or in symbiosis with ants. Their ability to fly enables many beetles to colonise new habitats quickly and to spread easily.<\/p>\n
L<\/big>ike all insects, beetles lay eggs. Often the eggs are laid with much care in the suitable places, e.g. in the appropriate plant or on dead animals, which are sometimes buried. Some swimming beetles construct small boats for the eggs, which float on the surface of the water. Other beetles engage in elaborate brood care, such as the species that live in ant nests, in which the females secrete a substance that the ants like to eat, or some species that live in wood and create gardens of fungi for their larvae.<\/p>\n
T<\/big>he larva of the beetle is looks completely differently from the adult beetle. It has an elongated body consisting of almost identical segments. The best-known beetle larvae are mealworms and the \u2018grubs\u2019 of cockchafers (maybugs). The larvae have no legs or only very small legs, very short antennae and tiny dot eyes. They usually eat more or less the same as the adult animal; often their diet is also highly specialised. As the adult beetles some larvae are predatory, others are herbivorous, others feed on dead organic material. Depending on the larva’s diet, the duration of larval development varies greatly, from a few days, e.g. in the case of scavenging larvae, to 15 years in the case of larvae that live in old, very dry wood. The larval stage often lasts significantly longer than the adult stage.<\/p>\n
![\"Beetle](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/beetle_larva-1.jpg\")
\nThe larvae of beetles have an elongated body made up of almost identical segments, with no wings and only short legs and antennae. Thick grubs like these, in our region mostly the larvae of rhinoceros beetles, live in the soil and feed on roots or dead plant material.<\/small><\/p>\n
L<\/big>ike all insects, beetles can only grow as larvae. To do this, the larva must moult at certain intervals. The transformation into the adult beetle occurs abruptly through holometamorphosis, which takes place in a protective pupa and involves the reconstraction of the entire body. Sand, plant parts or soil are often used to build an outer shell for the pupa. In the temperate and cold regions of the world, beetles usually hibernate as larvae or pupae, but sometimes adult beetles also survive the cold season in sheltered places.<\/p>\nBeetles as pests and beneficial insects<\/h3>\n
D<\/big>epending on their diet, many beetles are harmful pests. Some species live in flour and grain (flour beetles, grain beetles, rice beetles, etc.), other herbivorous species cause damage in argiculture, such as the Colorado potato beetle and the Corn rootworm. The greatest damage is caused by species that live in trees, such as bark beetles, which can kill huge areas of forest within a few years, or other species that specialise in a particular tree species, such as the Red palm weevil, which destroys the growth cone of palm trees. In some cases, the damage is caused by the beetle transmitting a disease, as in the case of Dutch elm disease, which is caused by a fungus transmitted by the Elm bark beetle and which may result over time in the complete extinction of the elm tree.<\/p>\n
![\"dead](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/red_palm_weevil_damage-1.jpg\")
\nThis palm tree in our neighbour’s garden died due to infestation by the Red palm weevil, a species from southeast Asia that is spreading since some decades in the Mediterranean area.<\/small><\/p>\n
H<\/big>owever, some species of beetles are of course also useful to humans, in particular the ladybirds, whose larvae feed on aphids and are therefore often used in biological pest control.<\/p>\n
F<\/big>urthermore the larvae of numerous beetle species are edible and represent an important source of protein for the population in many parts of the world. In Greece and in Europe, too, some grubs and cockchafers were eaten until the Middle Ages. Over 100 beetle species can be identified from the descriptions of ancient naturalists such as Aristotle and Pliny.<\/p>\n
F<\/big>inally, the importance of carrion- and faeces-eaters and decomposers among beetles for the Earth’s ecosystems can hardly be overestimated. The Sacred scarab was venerated by the ancient Egyptians; it symbolised the sun god Re, which probably derives from its behaviour of rolling a ball of dung around.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nBeetle species on Naxos<\/font><\/a><\/p>\n
Beetle species on Naxos<\/h3>\n
N<\/big>aturally, there are far too many beetle species on Naxos for me to offer an even remotely complete list here, but many of the more common or conspicuous species can be found in the following descriptions.<\/p>\n
The Photo gallery of the beetles<\/strong><\/a> gives an overview over the species.<\/p>\n A note on identification:<\/strong> While some beetles can be identified easily, this is not true for all species. In many cases, accurate identification relies on characteristics that cannot be seen in photos and require examination of the dead animal under a magnifying glass or microscope; also one would need special literature and identification guides. For this reason, I cannot guarantee the correctness of the identification of many of the species in the following description – sometimes even the genus cannot be identified with certainty. Still, I hope that the article is valuable in presenting the diversity of our beetle fauna and perhaps awakening interest in these mostly litte known insects. Fortunatley some help is available in the internet: I thank the members of the forum of the German Web site on coleoptera Kerbtier.de<\/a> and of the Facebook-page “Insects of Greece and Cyprus” for several indetifications.<\/small><\/p>\n Here you can jump directly to the larger groups within the beetles<\/strong> (return with the back arrow or by swiping back): T<\/big>he tiger beetles live on the ground in open areas on sand or soil. In spring, the Green tiger beetle can often seen in our garden. Tiger beetles run very fast and usually only fly short distances. The larvae live in the earth; larvae and adult animals feed mainly on spiders and other insects. The species is found in Europe and Asia; in some areas it is endangered due to the destruction of its habitat.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he rove beetles are a very large family within the order of the beetle, with over 47,000 described species, although the actual number of species lies probably much higher. They are quite unusual beetles. Most species are very small, often only a few millimeter long. Head and neck are about the same size; the entire body is elongated and very flexible. The wing covers are greatly reduced, usually covering only about one third of the abdomen. The membranous hind wings have their normal size. When they are not used for flying, they are folded under the short wing covers. The beetle uses its very mobile abdomen to fold and unfold its wings, stroking and pushing them together. Fine bristles at the end of the abdomen help to do this. Many rove beetles produce toxins that they can spray from their abdomen when disturbed. <\/p>\n R<\/big>ove beetles have conquered all habitats on earth except water and are also found in quite hostile environments where almost no other animals can survive. In favourable habitats such as the litter layer of moist forests, they often live in very large numbers and play an important role in the ecosystem. They have developed virtually all forms of nutrition: predatory, plant- and fungus-eating and parasitic species exist, as well as many decomposers of animal and plant matter. Many species live in ant nests, where they are fed by the ants or eat waste materials in the nest, prey on the ants themselves or are carried along by them on their hunting expeditions \u2013 it seems that every imaginable way of life has been tried out by these little animals. The rove beetles are one of the most successful and common animal groups.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he whirligig beetles belong to the beetles that have adapted to an aquatic life. They live permanently on the surface of stagnant or slow-moving waters and swim incessantly, whirling and circling, using a fast, very effective swimming motion of their short, broadened middle and rear legs. The longer front legs are used to grasp prey. Whirligig beetles feed mainly on small animals that have fallen into the water, which they locate with the help of their short antennae, which register the slightest movements of the water. Whirligig beetles increase their buoyancy with an air bubble that they carry under their wing covers. Another air bubble, which is used to take in air for breathing, sits at the end of the body. They have two-part eyes, the upper half of which is used for seeing above the water surface, while the lower half is used for seeing underwater; the ommatidia (individual eyes) of this half of the eye are specially adapted for underwater vision. Whirligig beetles are good flyers, which enables them to seek out a new habitat if the pond they live in dries up.<\/p>\n F<\/big>ireflies, known also as glowworms, have the ability to produce and emit light through bioluminescence. In most species, it is mainly the females that glow; males and larvae often show only a weak glow. The light signals serve to attract mates and are species-specific. While the three species found in central Europe glow continuously \u2013 in some cases while the males are flying \u2013 at least two of the species found on Naxos emit intermittent light signals. Fireflies are quite common in our region and can easily be observed on warm early summer nights in most years; it is also not uncommon to encounter these insects during the day.<\/p>\n A<\/big>n interesting feature of many species of fireflies is their pronounced sexual dimorphism. While the males have a typical beetle shape, the females of many species are very different in appearance: They have no wings or only greatly reduced wings, and their bodies show a uniform segmentation that makes them look more like larvae than adult beetles. While adult fireflies eat little or nothing, the larvae are predatory, preying mainly on snails. The females die shortly after laying their eggs. Most species are poisonous or taste very unpleasantly, so they have few natural enemies.<\/p>\n L<\/big>ight production in fireflies (as in some other groups of animals with bioluminescence) occurs with the help of the enzyme luciferase, which oxidises a special protein, luciferin, using oxygen and ATP, releasing energy that is emitted as light to an astonishingly high degree. In fireflies, the chitin layer on the lower part of the abdomen is translucent, so that the glow is clearly visible.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Italian firefly is very small, with a body length of only about 5 mm. The species of this genus, which occur mainly in Asia, are characterised by their light emission, which consists of flashes emitted approximately every second. The females do not look like larvae, but resemble the males, although they are unable to fly. Both males and females emit light signals. The males may also glow in flight. The Italian firefly is native to south-eastern Europe.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he genus Nyctophila<\/em>, which belongs to the firefly family, comprises about 20 species. Our specimens on Naxos could be Nyctophila colorata<\/em>.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he family of the Soft-winged flower beetles is mainly found in tropical regions. Today, the members of the family formerly known as Malachiidae<\/em> are also classified as Melyridae<\/em>. They are predominantly soft, elongated species with a body length of up to 1 cm.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Scarlet malachite beetle belongs to the genus Malachius<\/em> whose name is derived from the Greek malak\u00f3<\/em> (soft) and refers to its only slightly sclerotised exoskeleton. Like many species of the genus, the Scarlet malachite beetle has a simple, rather elongated body shape and thin antennae. Its colouring is quite variable, with a blue-green body colour and red wing covers.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he larvae of malachite beetles are omnivorous, i.e. they eat both plant and animal material. Because they prey on aphids and larvae of other pests, this species is useful to gardeners and farmers. The adult beetles also prey on other insects to some extent, but feed mainly on grass pollen. The Scarlet malachite beetle is widespread in Europe and Asia and has also been introduced to North America.<\/p>\n T<\/big>his pretty little beetle with its intense metallic green colouring is about 6 mm long. It is often found on flowers. The species is widespread in Europe and the Middle East. The larvae first feed on dead insects, then on plant stems.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he jewel beetles are mainly found in the tropics. They are mostly colourful species, often with a metallic shimmer. They usually have large eyes; their head is mostly covered by the neck shield. Many species contain the toxic substance buprestin in their haemolymph as protection against predators.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he jewel beetles of the genus Anthaxia<\/em> are quite small and compact in shape. They are predominantly greenish or bronze to purple in colour. The adult beetles can be found in summer on flowers, where they feed on pollen and petals. The larvae usually live in wood or other parts of plants.<\/p>\n L<\/big>adybirds are probably the best-known beetles in our part of the world and are among the most familiar insects in general. The family Coccinellidae<\/em> comprises over 6,000 species, around 250 of which occur in Europe. The greatest diversity of species is found in the tropics. All ladybirds are rather small and spherical to oval in shape with a strongly domed upper side. Their short antennae are slightly club-shaped at the end. The head and underside are usually black in colour, while the wing covers are often strikingly colourful, mostly red or yellow. The neck shield is either black or the same colour as the wing covers. Many species carry between 2 and 24 spots that may be black, coloured or white. The number and arrangement of the spots is more important for species identification than the colouring, which is very variable in some species.<\/p>\n L<\/big>adybirds are good flyers. They often occur in large numbers; some species of the temperate zones hibernate in dense clusters. Both adults and larvae are predatory. Their main food source are aphids and other plant pests. Over the course of its life, a ladybird consumes around 3,000 aphids. These beetles are therefore very useful in field and garden: they can completely eliminate aphid infestations. Nowadays, ladybirds are often used for biological pest control. Ladybirds are sensitive to chemical pesticides because they ingest them along with the aphids and accumulate them in their bodies.<\/p>\n L<\/big>adybirds themselves are eaten by birds, reptiles and larger insects. To defend themselves against their predators, they produce a toxin called coccinellin, which is poisonous to many animals and tastes bad. The striking colouring of ladybirds serves as a warning signal to potential predators. When in danger, ladybirds secrete the toxic and bitter substances as droplets from the joints of their legs.<\/p>\n L<\/big>adybirds have been popular with humans since ancient times. This is probably mainly due to their usefulness to gardeners and farmers, but perhaps also because of their pretty appearance. Their name indicates that these beetles were considered by farmers to be a gift from the Virgin Mary. In many cultures, ladybirds are considered to bring luck. The oldest known representation is a 20,000-year-old ladybird carved from mammoth ivory, which was found in France.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he seven-spot ladybird is the most common and best-known species of ladybird. It has bright red wing covers with three black spots on each and an additional spot on the scutellum flanked by two white spots; the black pronotum and head also have two white spots each.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Asian ladybird is native to Asia, but has been unintentionally introduced to many parts of the world, including Europe, or also been deliberately released for biological pest control. It is now so common in many places that it is displacing native ladybird species, partly because it is usually infected with a parasitic protozoan to which it itself is immune but which it can transmit to other ladybird species. The Asian ladybird reproduces very effectively: it takes only about three weeks from the time the eggs are laid to the metamorphosis into the adult.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Adonis ladybird is small and has an elongated and fairly flat shape. Usually, it shows only three black spots on each wing cover, all in the rear half. The markings on the neck shield are characteristic. Like other ladybird species, it feeds on aphids.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Twenty-two-spot ladybird is a fairly small ladybird with an intense yellow colour and black spots. It is almost hemispherical in shape. The larva is also yellowish with black spots. Adult beetles and larvae feed on mildew fungi and are therefore useful in the garden. This species is also quite common in our region.<\/p>\n M<\/big>ost ladybirds have striking colours and characteristic markings, although their colouring can sometimes vary. I have not yet been able to identify this small species.<\/p>\n T<\/big>his small ladybird species carries spots that are arranged like a line across the back. The basic colour is usually black, but can also be deep red, as in this specimen.<\/p>\n A<\/big>uger beetles bore in wood. The family is mainly found in the tropics; only 47 species occur in Europe. One species, the Lesser grain borer, which is very small with a body length of 2 to 3 mm, lives in grain, rice, legumes and nuts and is a significant pest.<\/p>\n A<\/big>s in many auger beetles, the head of the capuchin beetle is mostly hidden under the highly arched neck shield. The neck shield is adorned with teeth on the upper side, which wear away over time. The adult animals live on fruit trees and grapevine, boring in the wood, as do the larvae.<\/p>\n C<\/big>arpet beetles are found worldwide with around 1,300 species. They are small and compact, round or oval in shape. Many species feed on dead animal or plant material, including leather, hair and feathers. As a result, some species are significant pests. These include, for example, the Common carpet beetle and the Museum beetle, which is feared by biologists and has caused great damage to many collections. Other species are harmless flower dwellers.<\/p>\n T<\/big>his pretty beetle, like all carpet beetles, is very small and round in shape. It is varioulsy patterned in white and brownish colours.<\/p>\n B<\/big>lister beetles produce a toxin called cantharin, which they secrete as a yellowish drop from their leg joints when threatened. Cantharin is toxic to ants and ground beetles, but not to birds or hedgehogs, which eat blister beetles. Some insect species are attracted by the toxin over long distances and ingest it, accumulating the poison in their bodies and thus also becoming toxic. Even a species of bird takes advantage of the same effect: the Spur-winged goose, which eats blister beetles in large quantities and can therefore \u2013 depending on the amount \u2013 be toxic to predators and even to humans. The name blister beetles comes from the toxin, which can cause blisters on human skin.<\/p>\n A<\/big>nother interesting feature of blister beetles is their complicated larval development. The females lay a large number of eggs: up to 10,000 per individual. The females have to consume a lot of food to be able to produce such quantities of eggs. They feed on plants and can cause some damage in agriculture. The larvae of blister beetles live as parasites in the nests of solitary bees (or, in some species, grasshoppers). The first larval stage looks significantly different from the later stages. This so-called triungulin larva or three-clawed larva climbs onto flowers, where it waits for bees. When a bee comes by, it clings to it and is carried to the nest. It cannot distinguish between suitable and unsuitable species, which explains the high number of eggs: only very few triungulin larvae reach a suitable bee nest where they can develop. With long legs and claws on its feet, the triungulin larva is specially adapted to travelling on bees. It does not eat, but can wait for weeks until it finds a transport host. In the beehive, the larva lets go of its transport animal. It now molts and becomes a more simply structured secondary larva that feeds on the honey stores in the bee nest. After several moults, the larva leaves the bee nest. It stops feeding and hibernates as a pseudopupa. The following spring, it moults into a final larval stage, which eventually pupates and transforms into the adult insect.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he species of the genus Meloe<\/em> hardly look like beetles, having greatly reduced wings with short wing covers, behind which the segmented, very thick abdomen remains exposed. The head looks a bit like that of an ant. The antennae of the males are bent in the middle in a characteristic way. Several similar species occur in the Mediterranean region (and also in central Europe), so the identification is not entirely certain. The species of the genus Meloe<\/em> live mainly in rather dry areas.<\/p>\n T<\/big>his species of blister beetle is common in the Mediterranean region. The adult lives mainly on flowers feeding on the pollen and petals, while the larvae live underground on the eggs of grasshoppers.<\/p>\n Mylabris pannonica<\/em> is also found in the Mediterranean region reaching as far north as Hungary. The adult beetles sit on flowers; the larvae parasitise in bee nests.<\/p>\n A<\/big>nother genus of blister beetle is the large genus Zonitis<\/em>.<\/p>\n P<\/big>intail beetles are small beetles that usually live on flowers. They often have a pointed abdomen, from which their name derives. Colloquially, they are also known as \u2018tumbling flower beetles\u2019, which refers to the strange tumbling movements that the beetles show when disturbed. They perform a series of very quick jumps, turning in a spiral. This rotation is made possible by a unique joint on the coxa of the hind leg and achieved with the help of the long pointed abdomen.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he False blister beetles resemble longhorn beetles in their elongated body shape and long, thin antennae, but their bodies are softer, and they usually remain quite small. They are predominantly yellowish, greenish or black in colour. The adult beetles feed on pollen and are often found on flowers, while the larvae live in wood and plant stems.<\/p>\n W<\/big>ith 20,000 species, the darkling beetles are one of the largest beetle families. They show great variability in body shape and way of life. As the name suggests, many species are predominantly black in colour. They usually prefer warm and dry habitats and are herbivorous or omnivorous.<\/p>\n D<\/big>ung beetles are among the better-known beetles. They are usually black or metallic in colour, have a stout, roundish body and live on the ground. Both the adult beetles and the larvae feed on dung, humus or fungi. Dung beetles care elaborately for their brood. They build underground brood chambers with dung as food supply for their larvae. They shape the dung into balls, as this makes it easier to transport. By working the dung into the soil and decomposing it, dung beetles fulfill an important ecological function.<\/p>\n
\nGround beetles<\/a> – Rove beetles<\/a> – Whirligig beetles<\/a> – Fireflies<\/a> – Soft-winged flower beetles(Melyridae)<\/em><\/a> – Jewel beetles<\/a> – Ladybirds<\/a> – Auger beetles<\/a> – Carpet beetles<\/a> – Blister beetles<\/a> – Pintail beetles<\/a> – False blister beetles<\/a> – Dung beetles<\/a> – Scarab beetles<\/a> – Longhorn beetles<\/a> – Leaf beetles<\/a> – Weevils<\/a> <\/p>\nGround beetles, Carabidae<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n
Green tiger beetle, Cicindela campestris<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/cicindela_campestris-1.jpg\")
\nThe Green tiger beetle has a metallic green colouring. It can be distinguished from other related species by the shape and arrangement of the white spots on its wing covers.<\/small><\/p>\nLittoral tiger beetle, Cicindela (Calomera) littoralis<\/em>, Fabricius<\/h6>\n
![\"Calomera](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/calomera_littoralis-1.jpg\")
\nOn the sandy beaches of Naxos \u2013 here in Kaland\u00f3s \u2013 one can often find another species of tiger beetle: Cicindela littoralis<\/em>, the Littoral tiger beetle. It belongs to the subgenus Calomera<\/em>. These restless and shy beetles fly off when you approach them. They have dark brown, slightly copper-coloured shiny wing covers with characteristic white spots, the front one of which is C-shaped. As all related species, they are predators. The larvae live in holes they dig in the sand, where they lie in wait for their prey.<\/small><\/p>\nCalathus<\/em> spec.<\/h6>\n
![\"Calathus](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/calathus_spec-1.jpg\")
\nThis ground beetle, measuring approximately 1.2 cm, belongs to the genus Calathus<\/em> in the subfamily Harpalinae<\/em>, which, with around 20,000 species, most of which are quite similar in appearance, accounts for about half of all ground beetles. Species identification is usually only possible by microscopic examination.<\/small><\/p>\nAcinopus megacephalus ?<\/em>, P. Rossi<\/h6>\n
![\"Acinopus](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/acinopus_megacephalus-1.jpg\")
\nThis beetle could be Acinopus megacephalus<\/em>, which is notable for its broad head. This species also belongs to the subfamily of Harpalinae<\/em>.<\/small><\/p>\nRove beetles, Staphylinidae<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"rove](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/rove_beetle-1.jpg\")
\nRove beetles, which are usually only 2 to 8 mm long, are easily overlooked due to their small size, although they are common in most habitats. With their long, mobile, uncovered abdomen, they hardly look like beetles. Most rove beetles are brown or black in colour. The different species are difficult to distinguish.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"rove](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/rove_beetle-2.jpg\")
\nThe wing covers of rove beetles are very short and cover only about one third of the abdomen. The membranous hind wings, on the other hand, extend to the end of the abdomen.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"rove](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/rove_beetle-3.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"rove](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/rove_beetle-5.jpg\")
\nWhen the rove beetle is not using its wings, it carries them folded under its wing covers. To fold the wings, it uses its mobile abdomen, which it curves upwards to push the wings together.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Ocypus](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/ocypus_fulvipennis-1.jpg\")
\nThis rove beetle is considerably larger, measuring more than a centimeter. It is shiny black with red-brown wing covers. It might be for example the species Ocypus fulvipennis<\/em>.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Ocypus\"](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/ocypus_spec-1.jpg\")
\nThis even larger rove beetle also belongs to the genus Ocypus<\/em>. There are numerous very similar species; identification is not possible from a photo.<\/small><\/p>\nWhirligig beetles, Gyrinidae<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Whirligig](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/gyrinus-3.jpg\")
\nThe small, black whirligig beetles are found in slow flowing parts of the rivers of Naxos. They glide incessantly across the water’s surface in \u2018whirling\u2019 movements.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Whirligig](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/gyrinus-1.jpg\")
\n19 species of whirligig beetles occur in Europe, all of them difficult to distinguish. This is probably a species of the genus Gyrinus<\/em>.<\/small><\/p>\nFireflies, Lampyridae<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n
Italian firefly, Luciola italica<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Italian](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/luciola_italica-1.jpg\")
\nThe Italian firefly is very small, with a body length of only about 5 mm. In the first warmer nights in spring, the flashing beetles may be seen sitting here and there on the walls in our garden. The light is produced in the rear segments of the abdomen.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Italian](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/luciola_spec-1.jpg\")
\nHere we probably have a larval stage of the Italian firefly, which does not yet have wings and whose entire abdomen glows.<\/small><\/p>\nNyctophila colorata ?<\/em>, Geisthardt<\/h6>\n
![\"Nyctophila](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/nyctophila_colorata_male-1.jpg\")
\nThe colouring and shape of the pronotum and wing covers of this male firefly suggest that it is Nyctophila colorata<\/em>, which occurs in the Cyclades. The males are quite large, measuring around 2 cm. So far, I have seen males of this species only during the day.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Nyctophila](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/nyctophila_colorata_male-2.jpg\")
\nHere the same specimen from below.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Nyctophila](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/nyctophila_colorata_female-1.jpg\")
\nIn many species of fireflies, the females look almost like larvae: their body has only a short thorax and a long segmented abdomen. They have no wings or the wings are very small and rudimentary. They can be distinguished from the larvae primarily by their large pronotum (neck shield).<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Nyctophila](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/nyctophila_colorata_female-2.jpg\")
\nMembers of the genus Nyctophila<\/em> differ from the similar Common glowworm (Lampyris noctiluca)<\/em> in that the females have only small, reduced wings.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Nyctophila](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/nyctophila_colorata_female-3.jpg\")
\nHere you can see the segments of the abdomen that emit the light. The female is holding the abdomen in such a way that the “glowing” underside is visible. Unlike the Italian firefly, this species glows continuously rather than flashing.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Nyctophila](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/nyctophila_colorata_larva-1.jpg\")
\nHere a larva of Nyctophila colorata<\/em>. It differs from the females in its narrow head and small neck shield.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Nyctophila](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/nyctophila_colorata_larva-3.jpg\")
\nWhen walking, the larva pushes itself forward with its abdomen by bending it forward and then stretching it out again.<\/small><\/p>\nSoft-winged flower beetles, Melyridae<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n
Scarlet malachite beetle, Malachius aeneus ?<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Malachius](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/malachius_aeneus-1.jpg\")
\nThis is the Scarlet malachite beetle or a related species.<\/small><\/p>\nMalachite beetle, Malachius bipustulatus<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Malachius](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/malachius_bipustulatus-2.jpg\")
\nThe Malachite beetle is almost blue-black in colour with red sides and a little red on the neck.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Malachius](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/malachius_bipustulatus-1.jpg\")
\nThe red tips of the wing covers are characteristic of this species.<\/small><\/p>\nPsilothrix viridicoerulea<\/em>, Geoffroy<\/h6>\n
![\"Psilothrix](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/psilothrix_viridicoerulea-1.jpg\")
\nPsilothrix viridicoerulea<\/em> is very thin and elongated and has a pretty metallic green colour.<\/small><\/p>\nJewel beetles, Buprestidae<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n
Anthaxia<\/em> spec.<\/h6>\n
![\"Anthaxia](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/anthaxia_spec-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Anthaxia](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/anthaxia_spec-2.jpg\")
\nThe pretty jewel beetles (genus Anthaxia<\/em>) can be recognised by their characteristic compact body shape and their mostly greenish or bronze metallic colour.<\/small><\/p>\nLadybirds, Coccinellidae<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n
Seven-spot ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Seven-spot](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/coccinella_septempunctata-1.jpg\")
\nThe seven-spot ladybird is the most common species of ladybird. It can be recognised by the seven black spots on its red wing covers.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Seven-spot](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/coccinella_septempunctata-2.jpg\")
\nSeven-spot ladybirds mating<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Seven-spot](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/ladybug_larva-1.jpg\")
\nThe larva of the seven-spot ladybird is black with small orange spots; its body carries numerous small bristle-bearing warts. The larva is very useful in the garden as it feeds on aphids, consuming up to 50 aphids per day.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Seven-spot](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/ladybug_larva-2.jpg\")
\nHere a pupa, in which the metamorphosis into an adult takes place in about 5 days.<\/small><\/p>\nAsian ladybird, Harmonia axyridis<\/em>, Pallas<\/h6>\n
![\"Asian](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/harmonia_axyridis-1.jpg\")
\nThe Asian ladybird is an invasive species that has been introduced in many places for biological pest control. The colouring is variable; usually the wing covers carry many black spots. It is best recognised by the black and white markings on its neck shield. I found the Asian ladybird for the first time in 2022 in our area.<\/small><\/p>\nAdonis ladybird, Hippodamia variegata<\/em>, Goeze<\/h6>\n
![\"Adonis](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/hippodamia_variegata-1.jpg\")
\nThe Adonis ladybird has become more common in our region in recent years. It is easily recognisable by its elongated body shape and the characteristic pattern of the spots.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Adonis](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/hippodamia_variegata-2.jpg\")
\nHere, an Adonis ladybird has fallen prey to a bug.<\/small><\/p>\nTwenty-two-spot ladybird, Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Twenty-two-spot](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/psyllobora_vigintiduopunctata-1.jpg\")
\nContrary to what its name suggests, the black spots on the bright yellow Twenty-two spot ladybird are 25 in number.<\/small><\/p>\nExochomus quadripustulatus ?<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"unidentified](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/exochomus_quadripustulatus-1.jpg\")
\nI have not yet been able to identify this small ladybird species. The colouring resembles Exochomus quadripustulatus<\/em>, but the latter is predominantly black.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"unidentified](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/exochomus_quadripustulatus-2.jpg\")
\nThis is probably the same species.<\/small><\/p>\nChilocorus bipustulatus<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Chilocorus](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/chilocorus_bipustulatus-1.jpg\")
\nThe small, shiny ladybird species Chilocorus bipustulatus<\/em> has six small bright orange spots arranged in a line across its back.<\/small><\/p>\nAuger beetles, Bostrichidae<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n
Bostrichus capucinus<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Bostrichus](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/bostrichus_capucinus-1.jpg\")
\nThe Capuchin beetle can be recognised by the red colour of its wing covers and its black, domed neck shield, under which its head is hidden and which has rasp-like teeth that are probably useful when it bores in wood.<\/small><\/p>\nCarpet beetles, Dermestidae<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n
Anthrenus pimpinellae<\/em>, Fabricius<\/h6>\n
![\"Anthrenus](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/anthrenus_pimpinellae-1.jpg\")
\nAnthrenus pimpinellae<\/em> is only 4 mm in size. It can be found in summer on flowers such as Greek oregano, as shown here.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Anthrenus](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/anthrenus_pimpinellae-2.jpg\")
\nIndividuals can vary significantly in colour, even though the markings are usually similar.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Anthrenus](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/anthrenus_pimpinellae-3.jpg\")
\nIn spring, the carpet beetles often sit in large numbers on the flowers of the wild carrot.<\/small><\/p>\nBlister beetles, Meloidae<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n
Violet oil beetle, Meloe violaceus ?<\/em>, Marsham<\/h6>\n
![\"Violet](\"http:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/meloe_violaceus-1.jpg\")
\nThe flightless Violet oil beetle has an interesting biology with the larva parasitising in bee nests. Its appearance is also unusual, with greatly shortened wing covers that leave the abdomen exposed.<\/small><\/p>\nMylabris quadripunctata<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Mylabris](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/mylabris_quadripunctata-1.jpg\")
\nMylabris quadripunctata<\/em> usually sits on flowers where it feeds on the pollen.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Mylabris](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/mylabris_quadripunctata-2.jpg\")
\nHere an individual with a slightly different pattern.<\/small><\/p>\nMylabris pannonica ?<\/em>, Kaszab<\/h6>\n
![\"Mylabris](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/mylabris_pannonica-1.jpg\")
\nThere are several species of blister beetles with yellowish and black transverse stripes on their wing covers, although the colouring can vary considerably; our speciment probably belongs to the species Mylabris pannonica<\/em>.<\/small><\/p>\nZonitis immaculata ?<\/em>, Olivier<\/h6>\n
![\"Zonitis](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/zonitis_immaculata-1.jpg\")
\nZonitis immaculata<\/em> has brown to brown-orange wing covers and neck shield, while the head, extremities and underside are black, as in most blister beetles.<\/small><\/p>\nPintail beetles, Mordellidae<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n
Mordella<\/em> spec.<\/h6>\n
![\"Mordella\"](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/mordella_spec-1.jpg\")
\nThe tiny pintail beetles are easily recognisable by their pointed abdomen. They live on flowers and are quite common in our region, appearing for a short time in summer. Their tumbling movements when disturbed are quite funny. It is not possible to identify the species without closer examination.<\/small><\/p>\nFalse blister beetles, Oedemeridae<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n
Oedemera flavipes<\/em>, Fabricius<\/h6>\n
![\"Oedemera](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/oedemera_flavipes_female-1.jpg\")
\nOedemera flavipes<\/em> usually sits on flowers. It grows to about 1 cm in length; the body is very narrow. Viewed from the side, its abdomen appears somewhat inflated. The wing covers narrow towards the end.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Oedemera](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/oedemera_flavipes_flying-1.jpg\")
\nIn flight, this species assumes this awkward-looking posture.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Oedemera](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/oedemera_flavipes_male-1.jpg\")
\nThe male beetles of Oedemera flavipes<\/em> often have greatly thickened femurs on their hind legs. I would like to thank the dedicated members of the Greek Facebook page \u2018Insects of Greece and Cyprus\u2019 for their help in identifying this species.<\/small><\/p>\nDarkling beetles, Tenebrionidae<\/em><\/h3>\n
Omophlus lepturoides ?<\/em>, Fabricius<\/h6>\n
![\"Omophlus](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/omophlus_lepturoides-1.jpg\")
\nThis beetle with shiny orange-red wing covers and black pronotum and head is probably Omophlus lepturoides<\/em>, a species common in Europe and Southeast Asia.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Omophlus](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/omophlus_lepturoides-2.jpg\")
\nmating<\/small><\/p>\nCephalostenus orbicollis<\/em>, M\u00e9n\u00e9tri\u00e9s<\/h6>\n
![\"Cephalostenus](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/beetles\/cephalostenus_orbicollis-1.jpg\")
\nThis beetle can be recognised by its narrow head, which is only about half the width of the round thorax. It is quite rare in our area. I would like to thank the members of the Greek Facebook page \u2018Insects of Greece and Cyprus\u2019 for their help in identifying it.<\/small><\/p>\nDung beetles, Geotrupidae<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n
Spring dumbledor,