The relationship between the study of beetles and society are highlighted by the fact that the human race continues to rely on beetles and admire them. Starting with the Egyptians, the Scarabaeus sacer or Dung Beetle was a source of inspiration and a symbol for how days' work with the beetle rolling the ball in the same direction as the sun (Britannica 2024). Beetles are now primarily used in agriculture to reduce the number of insects (Smithsonian 2024). Beetles are now paving the way for new technology research using the Phloeodes diabolicus or the diabolical ironclad beetle. Currently researchers at the University of California, Irvine have seen the amazing strength of the beetle’s exoskeleton that can withstand 39,000 times its bodyweight (Machemar 2020). Civil engineers look towards the strength of concrete and while it does the job asked, but the interlocking of the exoskeleton’s plates provide a beetle that can be ran over by a car and survive (Wallheimer 2021).
The role of entomology and technological studies have in society is to look to nature for answers that provide the future of new structures and mechanisms. The same mechanism that designers use to make zippers makes the beetle’s exoskeleton flexible and stiff that creates strength (Temming 2020). With the studies done by the team at University of California, Irvine entomologist can continue to look to the nature for how it provides answers from just natural occurrences. Since the initial study, aerospace engineers are now also looking to making the motors or shell of the shuttles stronger by looking at the diabolical ironclad beetle (Thompson and Bundell 2020 Oct 21). The beetle can help affect both the lives of astronauts and those in live in areas that have natural disasters occur. If civil engineers can find a way to make a stronger material that does not have the same effect on the environment from concrete and steel, it would make the future stronger and brighter in construction engineering.
Entomology and technology interact to address issues that society faces by being the inspiration to solve problems that exist in society. Entomology has been at the forefront of agricultural sciences with pest control or biocontrol. From the success of that entomology has brought to society, researchers can now test different insects with confidence to solve societal issues. The researchers at university of California, Irvine looked towards the diabolical ironclad beetle for solutions to the environmental issues that come from concrete. Portland Cement that is the mix that makes most concrete in the world attributed to 8% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions (Tutton 2023). The main reason why the world hasn’t moved off Portland Cement is that it provides the strongest concrete which provides the strongest building block. If engineers can solve the issue of carbon emissions through the inspiration of the exoskeleton of a diabolical ironclad beetle, then the future of civil engineering can also be greener.
This is a short 2 min video recap of the research being applied to human society and materials used to make buildings from the exoskeleton design of the ironclad beetle.