Order Coleoptera – beetles

Coleoptera means “sheath wings”

Traits :

• Hardened forewings (elytra) cover the body and protect delicate hindwings
• At rest, elytra meet in a straight line down middle of the back
• Hind wings used for flight, elytra held out for balance
• Chewing mouthparts
• >350,000 species worldwide
• At least 25% of all animal species on earth
• Highly varied in size, eating habits, habitats