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The Coleoptera is the
largest order of insects; it contains about forty percent of all known
species. It includes the beetles and weevils. Among the more
than 250,000 species are many of the largest and most beautiful of all
insects. Some have brilliant metallic colors, showy patterns or
striking forms.
Beetles can usually be recognized by their two
pairs of wings. The first pair is modified into horny covers
(elytra) that hide the rear pair and most of the abdomen. they
usually meet down the back in a straight line. Coleoptera occur in
nearly all climates. They may be
divided into four groups: the first three, the Archostemata, the
Adephaga, and the Myxophaga, contain relatively few families; the
majority of beetles are placed in the fourth group, the Polyphaga. |
