News Desert beetle catches fog on its back By Susan Milius November 13, 2001 at 12:43 pm - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Print (Opens in new window) Print The nubbly back of a beetle in Africa’s Namib Desert has inspired a device for harvesting water from fog. A beetle species of the Namib Desert can catch fog droplets with a special bumpy surface on its back. Parker When a patch of dense fog rolls over the desert, the beetle, a species of the genus Stenocara, upends its body into a handstand.