Before moving on to the next bug, I first wanted to improve my scarab beetle. That´s why I updated my old design in 2024.
Bugs are one of the most popular subjects in origami. There are stag beetles of all kind, a number of horned beetles and more than ten different samurai helmet beetle designs in every kind of state – flying and not. However the number of scarab beetles is small and there are even less detailed versions of it. Maybe that´s due to it´s “simple” form: No long antennae, no horns, not even colour changes.
That does not mean that it`s elegant shape is not beautiful. That´s why I decided to make a better version of my scarab beetle. Because the last scarab beetle was first and foremost a exercise for me to practise using Hexpleating, wanted to try a completely different approach. The new crease pattern is using Boxpleating on a 44 grid. Making the belly was the most interesting part: I wanted to include the belly pleats to give the design a clean look from every side. Therefore the legs were placed asymetrically. It had the nice side effect of making the crease pattern far more fun and interesting :).
The model is really satisfying to fold and to shape. I added some progress pictures, you can use as a guideline. You can in fact make the precreases without leaving a single crease on the body or the elytra.
The model is folded from a 30cm square of “Karape” paper
