Have you spotted these large brown beetles recently? Here’s why they’re out & about!
You might have spotted these creatures recently and if you’re wondering why, we might have the answer! According to Maltese Islands Weather, an invasion of these large brown beetles has been spotted in recent days – and here’s why.
“The first heavy rain of the season is typically followed by the sudden appearance of these beetles. This beetle, referred to widely as a rain beetle, is a member of the scarab beetle family known scientifically as Phyllognathus excavates. They are distributed mainly across southern Europe and north Africa, but can be found as far east as Asia,” Maltese Islands Weather shared in a Facebook post, following last week’s heavy rains.
“They spend most of their lives in their immature stages beneath the ground. Being incredibly drought resistant, they can survive deep in the soil for a decade or more. Once the ground is drenched with rainwater, they develop from larvae into adults in a matter of hours, and very quickly emerge to mate.” Well damn, they work fast!
“It’s a rapid process. In fact, they lack a mouth and digestive system so as to avoid having to waste time looking for food. They rely solely on the fat stored from their larval stage. Rain beetles have only sufficient energy in the form of fat to provide them with two hours of airtime and live for only a few days. That’s just enough time for them to find a mate.” In a hurry, dawn!
“Female rain beetles live longer. Once back in the soil, the female lays its eggs in rotting vegetation. Once the larvae hatch two weeks later, they may take up to two years to reach adult size. Once fully grown, they await the first heavy rains and the process starts all over again. As underground larvae, these insects can be pests, as they feed on the roots of shrub and tree, fungi and other organic matter.”