Beetles know best about a healthy diet

Even beetles know the advantages of a balanced diet, research has shown.

Given a range of foods, a carnivorous garden beetle selected the healthiest choice.

It is the first time a predator has been shown to choose food on the basis of nutritional value, rather than merely boosting calories.

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Scientists believe the same may be true of predators across the animal kingdom.

The ground beetle Anchomenus doralis is a garden insect that feeds on slugs, aphids, moths, larvae and ants.

Scientists from the University of Exeter conducted an experiment in which female beetles were collected and split into two groups.

Half were offered a choice of foods, including some that were high in protein and others high in fat.

The other half were not given a choice, either receiving high-protein or high-fat foods.

Those beetles offered a range of foods selected the perfect balance of protein and fat for producing healthy eggs.

Lead researcher Dr Kim Jensen said: “At a time of year when many of us are focused on healthy eating, it is interesting to see that predators are also selective about what they eat.”