Beetles

The Coleoptera order of insects is commonly called beetles. Most bettles have two pair of wings, the front pair, the “elytra”, being hardened and thickened into a sheath-like, or shell-like, protection for the rear pair, and for the rear part of the beetle’s body.

The diversit of beetles is very wide. They are found in all major habitats, except marine and the polar regions. They are by far the largest order of insects, with 350,000 to 400,000 species in four sub orders, making up about 40% of all insect species described, and about 30% of all animals.

Beetles feed on plants, small insects and animal fibers. A few beetles are considered pests in gardens and crops. However, not all are destructive. The Ladybug, is a beetle that benefits us by killing harmful insects.