UCI materials scientists discover design secrets of nearly indestructible insect

Irvine CA (SPX) Oct 22, 2020

With one of the more awe-inspiring names in the animal kingdom, the diabolical ironclad beetle is one formidable insect. Birds, lizards and rodents frequently try to make a meal of it but seldom succeed. Run over it with a car, and the critter lives on. The beetle's survival depends on two key factors: its ability to convincingly play dead and an exoskeleton that's one of the toughest, mos