Gourt > Science > Biology > Flora and Fauna > Animalia > Arthropoda > Insecta > Coleoptera (15)
Beetles are one of the most diverse groups of insects. Their order, Coleoptera (meaning "sheathed wing"), has more species in it than in any other order in the animal kingdom. Forty percent of all described insect species are beetles (about 350,000 species), and new species are regularly discovered. Approximately one out of every five animals on our planet is a beetle (20% of all animal life). Estimates put the total number of species, described and undescribed, at between 5 and 8 million. This is why when J. B. S. Haldane, a Scottish geneticist, was asked what his studies of nature revealed about God, he replied, "An inordinate fondness for beetles".
Beetles can be found in almost all habitats, but are not known to occur in the sea or in the polar regions. They have a major impact on the ecosystem in three ways: feeding on plants and fungi, breaking down animal and plant debris, and eating other invertebrates. Certain species are agricultural pests, such as the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, while others are important controls of agricultural pests. For example, lady beetles (family Coccinellidae) consume aphids, fruit flies, thrips, and other plant-sucking insects that damage crops.
Anatomy
The general anatomy of beetles is quite uniform, though specific organs and appendages may vary greatly in appearance and function between the many families in the order. Beetle bodies are divided into three sections: the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. Like all insects, beetles are segmented organisms, and all three of the major sections of the body may themselves be composed of several further segments, although these are not always readily discernable. More on [ Beetle ]
Beetles :: Insects
Coleopterology :: Entomology
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Beetle Breeding - Photo gallery of over 140 species and information about breeding beetles.
Beetles by A. Bochdansky and M. Kriftner - Beetle photos, games, and animations.
Beetles on Postage Stamps - Images of beetle postage stamps arranged by families, cultural and economical interests, countries.
Chris Schuster - Pictures of Beetles (Coleoptera) - Photos of beetles native to Germany, subdivided by family.
Coleoptera - Part of the USDA Systematic Entomology Library web site with the Handbook of Palearctic Flea Beetles, plus extensive information on leaf chafer scarabs and Elaphidiini. Also features details on the National Coleoptera Collection and book reviews.
Coleoptera - Extensive information about the phylogenetic relationships of beetles by David R. Maddison. From the Tree of Life project.
Coleoptera of Russia - Information on hundreds of species of beetles occurring in the former USSR, including, type locality, synonyms, range, distribution and variation, taxonomic notes, habitat and biology, similar species, and photo of adults.
Meta Description: [ Information on hundreds of species of beetles occurring in the former USSR, including, type locality, synonyms, range, distribution and variation, taxonomic notes, habitat and biology, similar species, and photo of adults ]
Josef Hlasek - Beetles of Europe - Over 1000 photos of beetles of Europe, identified to species and subdivided by family (Carabidae, Elateridae, Buprestidae, Scarabaeidae, Cerambycidae, Chrysomelidae).
Meta Description: [ Photo Gallery Beetles, Europe ]
Living Jewels - High-quality color photographs of diverse species of beetles by Poul Beckmann. Book and posters for sale.
Meta Description: [ Living Jewels Evolutionary Design ]
North American Byrrhidae - Taxonomy and biodiversity of this family of beetles.
Project Elater - Taxonomy and biodiversity of the Elateroidea (click beetles and relatives) in the families Elateridae, Throscidae, Eucnemidae, and Cerophytidae.
Tenebrionidae.net - Site for specialists in this highly variable family of the Tenebrioidea. Includes photos of specimens, classification, literature database, and list of researchers.
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