Do beetles molt

Yes, they do.

Molting is the process by which insects grow.

Generally accomplished through the early years of the insect's

existence, molting allows the body of the insect to expand under

controlled and protected conditions. In comparison, our (human)

bodies expand with the growing of our bones and muscles as we age.

Insects, on the other hand, utilize what is called an exoskeleton.

This exoskeleton is basically their underlying bone structure that

is located on the outside of their bodies with corresponding organs

and muscles located underneath this hard shell. So in order for the

insect to grow - i.e. increase in size - the insect must shed its

current skin in favor of the new skin underneath. This process is

known in the insect world was molting.

To undergo the process of molting, an insect must

begin to take in air or water by either swallowing it in naturally

or raising its internal blood pressure. This instigates the process

of molting that begins. The result is a soft, expandable

exoskeleton suitable for further, albeit limited, growth. This

process is repeated several times during the life span of an insect

depending on the species. The new exoskeleton will eventually

harden and retain the original coloring of the insect as it matures

and is exposed to the elements and everyday wear-and-tear.

Depending on the species, molting can actually

occur about 5 to 60 times in the life span of an insect and is

generally regarded as one of the most vulnerable processes that an

insect can go through. Yet this process is naturally required by

insects to continue to grow into a full adult stage. Not

surprisingly, molting is not limited to insect species alone as

even Spiders and snakes undergo the procedure as needed.