The Atlas Beetle's Greatest Threat: The Parasitoid Wasp

Get ready for a wild ride through the world of insects as we explore the incredible relationship between the Atlas Beetle and the parasitoid wasp. Did you know that as a larva, the Atlas Beetle falls prey to a terrifying parasitic wasp that uses it as a host to lay its eggs? But male Atlas Beetles have evolved an amazing mechanism: dimorphism, where they display physical differences to maximize the chance of passing their genes down.

In this video, we'll delve into the biology behind this incredible insect relationship and take a closer look at the dimorphism displayed by male Atlas Beetles. We'll also explore the evolutionary forces at play and how the Atlas Beetle evolved their dimorphic forms and their symbiosis with Megascolia procer. Whether you're a biology buff or just curious about the incredible world of insects, this video has something for everyone. So sit back and get ready to be amazed by the Atlas Beetle and the parasitoid wasp in all their gruesome glory.

Papers to learn more about them!

I used clips from these videos that you should definitely check out!

[floodedmoat]

These videos are out of this world man, from the information presented to the quality of the editing. As for my input on parasitoid wasps, I used to be part of a lab that studied the parasitoid wasps of Emerald Ash Borer (a widespread ash tree pest from Asia). Their size depends on their host and how many eggs are laid, but a lot of them can be as small as poppyseeds, with wasps of the family Mymaridae being the smallest recorded insects on Earth. Not that I would ever trade them for giant beetles, mind you.

[benlee]

I was told by a beetle collecting close friend of mine that Chalcosoma caucasus is now synonymous under Chalcosoma chiron.
Just some how found your channel in your recommendations, glad to see fellow entomologists doing videos.

[ArrantOde]

Your videos are great, man. Really enjoying the content. : )

[astick]

The whole atlas beetle larvae eating other larvae thing was super surprising to me

[nordidia]

stumbling across your profile actually felt like finding a goldmine, thank you for doing what you do! i live in north scandinavia and there are barely any beetle species here (and little to no big and colourful ones...) atlas beetles have become my favorites after researching more and seeing them in this video made me so happy! thank you thank you for these informative and entertaining fun videos!

[thefernlabmy]

Very detailed informations, great job!

[kickingforchrist]

Finally a channel about my favorite beetles!! This is awesome thank you for your content! As for an idea how about video covering the influence of beetles in Japanese Hobby Toys.

[guestTGX]

I love your videos and I subscribed and liked!

[sthui]

Another fun fact is that the space between their pronotum and elytra/scutellum can snap together which will draw blood with ease. If you place a stick between the space it’ll immediately snap.
Good video though, I love scoliid wasps

[Saabsarblx]

hey bro is there any stag beetle that living in Malaysia?would be nice if you teach us how to catch one in a wild too

[Kit]

thank you for making a video of my opinion.😊

[JacksonStorms-mvyb]

❤Wowww never knew this one existed. It looks like a Triceratop dinosaur.

[Kng_SqudZ]

Ok I've liked beetles and arthropods since I was very young I've known about parasitic wasps and stuff but I never knew they targeted the atlas beetles, I learned something new today

[Karlusman]

Nice video, Now i know of another pretty cool beetle. Could you do the Titan beetle, i would enjoy learning some facts about them.

[manzfishing]

recently i found a bette and want to keep as pet how long do this bug live?

[sherrylim]

It is a very sad story of an atlas beetle!

[hongmeiling]

In Mushiking, the Atlas beetle was from the Philippines

[armjustarm]

I really like Atlas, Stag, and Rhino beetles because they are so big and they eat fruits and plants rather than killing other animals

They just kinda enjoy fruit and hang out, I wanna be like that