Coleoptera
A Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa
decemlineata)
Coleoptera (the beetles)
is the largest order of life on Earth, with 350,000 described
species (65,000 of which are weevils). The
total number of beetle species - both described and undescribed
- is estimated at being between 5 and 8 million. 25% of all described animals and plants
are beetles, making them the primary contributor to earth's biodiversity.
They are found in nearly all biogeographic regions and non-marine
habitats, although they are most diverse in the tropics.
Coleoptera includes many well-known insects, such as ladybirds
(family Coccinellidae), scarabs (Scarabaeidae), fireflies (Lampyridae)
and weevils (superfamily
Curculionoidea). Shell-like
elytra conceal and protect the delicate flight wings when they
are not in use, which has allowed beetles to utilize resources
and engage in activites that otherwise are restricted to both
winged and wingless insects. While many beetles are herbivores,
some are fungivores or predacious carnivores. Beetles communicate
to one another in many ways, either by
use of chemicals, sounds, or by visual means (e.g. fireflies).
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Author: Phil Jardine
Last updated: 21st November 2005
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