Beetles
Beetles (Coleoptera)
Beetles (ˈbiːtəlz) are a group of insects that form the order Coleoptera, in the superorder Endopterygota. Their front pair of wings are hardened into wing-cases, Elytra, distinguishing them from most other insects.
Etymology
The word "beetle" comes from the Old English word "bitela", which is derived from "bītan", to bite. The scientific name, Coleoptera, comes from the Greek words "koleos", meaning sheath, and "pteron", meaning wing.
Description
Beetles are characterized by a particularly hard exoskeleton and hard forewings or Elytra. The beetle's body is divided into three sections: the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. Beetles have mouthparts similar to those of grasshoppers. Most beetles are nocturnal and are attracted to lights.
Classification
Beetles belong to the order Coleoptera, which is the largest order of insects, representing about 40% of all known insects. Beetles can be found in nearly all habitats, but are not known to occur in the sea or in the polar regions. They interact with their ecosystems in several ways.
Related Terms
- Elytra: The hardened forewings of beetles.
- Endopterygota: The superorder that beetles belong to.
- Coleoptera: The order that beetles belong to.
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