The Beetles | Stretched Canvas

Fossil records show that beetles were abundant when dinosaurs roamed the Earth during the Mesozoic Era, roughly 200 million years ago. They make up the largest order in the animal kingdom, and the largest group of pollinating animals because of their sheer numbers. Some 77,000 different species of beetle are believed to visit nearly 90% of the world’s 350,000 flowering plant species. They are the primary pollen transporters for numerous plant families, including magnolias, paw-paws, water lilies, and spicebush. As such, they play a unique role in wild plant reproduction and food production. Pollination is one of many ecosystem services provided by beetles. Ladybird beetles, for example, play a major role in keeping down populations of insects that feed on plants, such as aphids, mites, mealybugs and leafhoppers. Owing to the benefits for farming, ladybird beetles are widely considered talismans of good luck. Avoid harmful chemicals. Plant pollinator habitat, conservation strips and cover crops, use mulch for weed control, and add compost and diverse plantings to arable lands. Listen to The Beetles!