Reproduction between beetles often starts with pheromone communication. Different species use different chemical pheromones to attract a mate. Some pheromones are derived from fatty acid synthesis or from amino acids such as in the scarab beetles. This serves as a way to identify individuals of the same species and of the same or different sex. Insects act to a lock and key manner and will only allow mating between individuals with complementary structures. This is another way that these species identify each other.
After the mating between the beetles come the cycle of stages called metamorphosis. The stages are: egg, larva, pupa and adult. The adult female will lay her eggs, which can range from several thousand in her lifetime, near a food source so that once the eggs hatch food is provided. The larva is then hatched from the egg and starts to eat and grow in size. The tend to shed their exoskeleton often as they grow. The larvae will enter a pupa stage, which can take up to 9 months. It is very similar to what butterflies do when they make a cocoon. After this time, the adult beetle will emerge and start to feed and mate.
Sanders, April. “How Does a Beetle Reproduce?” EHow. Demand Media, 05 Nov. 2008. Web. 09 Apr. 2013.http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4587094_a-beetle-reproduce.html
“Beetle Life Cycle at Animal Corner.” Beetle Life Cycle at Animal Corner.
http://www.animalcorner.co.uk/insects/beetles/beetle_lifecycle.html
It's a Beetleful World! 