Beetle Mania 2023 & Beetle Day (Sunday 27th August 2023)
Beetle Mania 2023
Celebrate Beetles
Art work by Meher Arunika (Instagram)
In fields they roam, where wild winds dance free,
Beetles diverse, a wonder to see.
Citizen scientists, with curious grace,
Documenting their beauty, every unique trace.
Coleoptera's realm, a vibrant domain,
Exquisite armor, nature's art to explain.
Elytra's hues, a dazzling theme,
In every corner, a wondrous dream.
Beetle Mania 23
Focus Week - 25th to 31st August 2023
(proposed, annually, for the last week of August)
Beetle Day - Sunday 27th August 2023
(proposed, annually, for the last Sunday of August)
Extended Beetle Mania - 15th July to 10th Sept. 2023
(Concurrent with Monsoon Beauty 2023)
Slide Show and Beetle Mania Video links
Download the Beetle Mania 2023 Introduction video with audio here
Or see the video here
Download individual slides from the Beetle Mania 2023 Introduction slideshow here
The shortcut to this blog is here
Details of this presentation are in the web page https://tinyurl.com/BeetleMania23
Suggested Activities
Observation
- Beetles can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, deserts, urban gardens and parks. Some beetles are attracted to light, so you may see them at night near porch lights or street lamps.
- If you're looking for a specific type of beetle, you can also visit a museum, zoo, or insectarium. These institutions often have exhibits on beetles and other insects.
- Record Pictures, Videos and Beetle Sounds
- Join a Documentation Project and upload your observations there.
- Help Identify Beetles
- See beetle observations from the current project here (Note that this project is a subset of Monsoon Beauty 23)
Important Note : DO NOT COLLECT LIVE BEETLES, DO NOT HARM BEETLES IN THE ACT OF OBSERVATION**
Create Art, Collect Folklore & Myths, document local names
Beetles are amazing creatures, and there are many ways to celebrate their marvels. You can create art inspired by beetles, collect folklore and myths about them, or learn about their local names. Whatever you choose to do, you're sure to have a fascinating and enriching experience.
Here are some specific activities you can do:
- Draw, paint, or sculpt beetles.
- Write poems or stories about beetles.
- Collect stories and legends about beetles from your community.
- Learn about the different local names for beetles.
Share your creations with India's Nature (via email with the Subject line Beetle Mania 2023 Selected works will be showcased on social media or in inaturalist journals.
Understand Beetles
Along with observing and creating we recommend reading articles on Beetles and watching interesting videos on Beetles
The Beetle Story - (Frontline Photo-Article)
- Author Dr Geetha Iyer
Beetles / बीटल्स या भृंग
- Van Sampada
- (Newsletter for MP Forest and Wild Animals | Vol. 35 | August 2023)
Introduction to Beetles (Video Beetle Mania 2022)
- Speaker Amol Patwardhan
Beetles and Citizen Science (Article - Beetle Mania 2022)
- Background to Beetles and Citizen Science and Beetles in India
- Author - Team India's Nature
Beetle Mania 2022 (Conclusion report)
-
Why Observe Beetles
- Beetles parade, a world so vast,
- Colors and shapes, a spell they cast.
- Nature's wonders, in beetles amassed.
- Explore Biodiversity: Uncover diverse species and their ecological importance, unveiling the intricate tapestry of life.
- Engage in discovery: Revel in outdoor learning, forge connections with kindred spirits. A journey for all ages into the wonders of the natural realm.
- Learn Ecosystem Roles: Observe ubiquitous beetles, the unsung heroes orchestrating pollination, decomposition, and nutrient cycles, while some challenge as pests.
- Champion Conservation: help monitor populations, discern trends, and support conservation policies.
- Cultural Connections: Collect tales, lore, and vernacular names, weave a narrative that bridges heritage with the environment.
And amidst it all, remember, beetles embody beauty itself
Beetles are everywhere
If one could conclude as to the nature of the Creator from a study of creation it would appear that God has an inordinate fondness for stars and beetles.” (Apocryphally J.B.S Haldane)
The Coleoptera, with about 400,000 described species, is the largest of all orders, constituting almost 40% of described insects and 25% of all known animal species; new species are discovered frequently, with estimates suggesting that there are between 0.9 and 2.1 million total species. Found in almost every habitat except the sea and the polar regions. Wikipedia contributors. (2023, August 17). Beetle. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 16:18, August 24, 2023
In the last decade, new methods of estimating global species richness have been developed and existing ones improved through the use of more appropriate statistical tools and new data. Taking the mean of most of these new estimates indicates that globally there are approximately 1.5 million, 5.5 million, and 7 million species of beetles, insects, and terrestrial arthropods, respectively.
(Ref. Stork, N. E. (2018). How many species of insects and other terrestrial arthropods are there on Earth. Annual review of entomology, 63(1), 31-45.)
Meanwhile the Guardian says this
‘Generally ignored’ species face twice the extinction threat, warns study “Wildlife with little data faces double the risk of dying out – which may mean many more species are endangered than previously thought”
Beetles are beautiful
In fields where wild winds freely sway,
Beetles dance, a diverse display.
Citizen scientists, hearts afire,
Document their beauty, never tire.
What is a Beetle (Coleoptera)
What's in a name ?
- Coleoptera: koleos - sheath, pteron - wing.
- They have an Elytra - hardened forewings to protect their hindwings and also help navigate narrow spaces
- Beetle from old English* bitela* > bitan=bheid (Germanic for "little biter")
What makes up a Beetle ?
- Beetles are an Insect
- They are six legged invetebrate - an organism without a spine or a backbone.
- They Hard exoskeleton made of chitin. (Vertebrates are animals with spinal cords and bony or cartilaginous backbones, including all mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.)
- Beetles have a three-part body: head, thorax, and abdomen.
- Beetles have compound eyes and antennae.
- Beetles have chewing mouthparts.
- Beetles undergo complete metamorphosis - through four stages of development: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
Life Cycle of a Beetle
(Source : Wikimedia Commons contributors, File:Life cycle of stag beetle.svg," Wikimedia Commons)
- Adults - they mate
Awards and Certificates
- Beetle Mania 2023 is a sub event of Monsoon Beauty 2023 underway since 15th July and running till 2023
- Monsoon Beauty 23 Beetle observations will be visible on this link
- While Beetle observations between from 25th August till 31st August will be visible here
Participation Certificates & Awards
Observations and Identifications
- For a minimum of 100 observations / identifications and for contributing art, folklore and local names (for selected works)
Social Media and Journal coverage
-
Certificates for Art work, folklore, and local name contributors will be based on recommendations by an India's Nature Panel.
Selected Art, Folklore, Local names submissions will be mentioned in Blog / Social Media / Journal and some will also be eligible for natural history gifts.
Natural History Gifts (Awards)
- India's Nature is a volunteer based initiative and as such has limited access to resources. However top observers, identifiers and select Art, Folkore submissions will receive some natural history related gifts
Project Links and Submissions
- Use this link to Join Monsoon Beauty (and Beetle Mania)
-
Submit your art, folklore, myths, stories, poems, local names etc via email to India's Nature
with the Subject Line - Beetle Mania 2023
For More information India's Nature and Beetle Mania 2023 contact via
- Whatsapp : +91 70372 45201
- Email : indias.nature01@gmail.com
Latest highlights & updates from the Monsoon Beauty 2023 are documented on :
- and on Inaturalist Journals
- India's Nature is also on Telegram
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