Question about the size of the beetles after get out pupa.

[manuelfer001]

Hello, one question.


The beetles (Coleoptera) are holometabolus insects (Egg-larvae-pupa-adult phases), right? My question is a beetle can increase the size just after become adult? just after get out of the pupa? Because i found some beetle just like another but more small and delicate. I know that a beetle after get out pupa toughen the body but i dont know if also increase the size.

Thank you for your help.

[Adam Cotton]

Once the beetle carapace has hardened it cannot grow any larger. If the beetles you saw are significantly different in size they could be males and females of the same species, different species, or possibly (less likely in wild specimens) the size difference could be due to larval food source.

Adam.