Order Coleoptera
This is the largest order in the class Insecta with over 250,000
described species. Obviously, with this many species, there is a
wide range of diversity in this order with respect to size,
morphological characters, biology, and behavior. However, the
order is typically characterized by a pair of elytra (hardened front
wings) and a pair of membranous hind wings. They have chewing
mouthparts that may be slightly modified for various functions and
undergo complete metamorphosis. Beetles occur in nearly every type
of habitat, from the desert to aquatic systems, and feed on various
plant and animal materials. |
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