Mechanical-strength

Guides

• Tanystoma diabolica

  Diabolical Ironclad Beetle

  Tanystoma diabolica, commonly known as the diabolical ironclad beetle, is a flightless beetle native to western North America. The species is renowned for exceptional mechanical durability, withstanding crushing forces up to 39,000 times its body weight. Its elytra feature densely layered, interlocking structures that inspired engineering research into tough, flexible materials. The beetle feeds on fungi growing beneath tree bark.

  mechanical-strengthbioinspirationflightlessfungivoreelytracrush-resistancewestern-North-AmericaZopheridaeironclad-beetle