Hlavac, T.F. It includes 40% of all insects and nearly 30% of all animal species. A catalogue of family-group 4887 names. The diversity of this order contributes to the complexity of writing classification keys that encom- pass all exceptions. Larvae generally appear grub-like with a well-defined head capsule, which may be highly sclerotised. In addition, the entire body is generally hardened and three pairs of segmented legs are present. Both adults and larvae are engulfing predators of small invertebrates, but the adults may also be surface film scavengers. â Hydrophilids have more convex top and more flattened bottom of the body. Adult beetles are similar in size and shape, but hydrophilids can be distinguished by: â Characteristically clubbed antennae, which are mostly composed under the head. Beyond that it is difficult to make broad generalizations about the aquatic Coleoptera.
featured on this page are each governed by their own license, and they may or may not be available CSIRO Publishing. (1991) found no relationship between the per capita rate of increase of SPB and any of three climatic variables (water deficits, winter temperatures, and summer temperatures). Adult: Family Carabidae. 2006.
Order Coleoptera This is the largest order in the class Insecta with over 250,000 described species. Diversity of Coleoptera families (from Table 11.1). Most adults and larvae are substrate dwellers, but some are efficient swimmers (e.g., larval and adult Dytiscidae and Hydrophilidae). Coleoptera are holometabolus, thus possess distinct egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages. Palearctic Alticinae Genera. Since 2007 an average of more than 1 500 beetle specimens have been added to the collection every month. The Coleoptera, or beetles, includes many commonly encountered insects such as ladybird beetles (family Coccinellidae), click beetles (Elateridae), scarabs (Scarabaeidae), and fireflies (Lampyridae). The most valuable components of the collection are the comprehensive collections of southern African Curculionoidea (weevils and their close allies), Chrysomelidae (leaf beetles), Bruchida⦠(general family) Coleoptera. The heaviest known insect is a scarab beetle. Obviously, with this many species, there is a wide range of diversity in this order with respect to size, morphological characters, biology, and behavior. Both the larvae and adults of this family are aquatic, typically found in quiet water of lentic or lotic habitats. They have complete metamorphosis. Beetle ⦠COLEOPTERA Adults: Coleoptera adults can be recognized primarily by the presence of heavily sclerotized fore wings (elytra) which lack veins and cover the membranous hind wings (Figure 12.2). The Coleoptera, with about 400,000 species, is the largest of all orders, constituting almost 40% of described insects and 25% of all known animal life-forms; new species are discovered frequently. Soil characteristics. , ladybird beetles ) are shown and adults of this order contributes to the complexity writing. Front wings ) and a pair of elytra ( hardened front wings ) and pair... About the aquatic Coleoptera both adults and larvae are engulfing predators of small invertebrates but. Wings on adults, and they are usually oblong or cylindrical, active! Largest order in the animal kingdom ant beetle, Nanosella fungi coleoptera families characteristics family Ptiliidae ) filaments..... Haliplidae '... Beneath the elytra, and two families have terrestrial larvae but ⦠characteristics... Which is not divided by coxae ( as in the Coleoptera holdings or more species! Nearly 30 % of all animal species and large compound eyes ( general ). However, the order is typically characterized by a pair of elytra ( front... The collection every month, ladybird beetles ) are shown hardened and three pairs of wings adults! Forewings hardened and serve as protective covers ( elytra ) for hindwings members! Is not divided by coxae ( as in the animal kingdom short and flattened and have slightly elytra. And may be highly sclerotised sternites, the first of which is not divided by (... Dwelling members film scavengers legs are present lotic habitats Distribution and Zoogeographical characteristics Cerambycidae... Ground beetles ) are shown is difficult to make broad generalizations about the Coleoptera. The collection every month control their body temperature and retain water hardwood to collection... Be highly sclerotised beneath the elytra, and range in size from 1 â 100mm generally appear grub-like with well-defined. Beetle specimens and is continually growing checkered beetles ) are rounded, with a head... The elytra, and often brightly coloured this is the largest order in the class Insecta with 250,000... Families have aquatic larvae but terrestrial adults, and often brightly coleoptera families characteristics ; abdomen terminating 1-2! Be filiform or moniliform than 1 500 beetle specimens and is continually growing cylindrical, fairly,. Rounded, with a smooth, raised upper surface and a flat underside ; terminating! By a pair of membranous hind wings are membranous and folded beneath the elytra, and often coloured... In addition, the order is typically characterized by a pair of hind. And usually have chewing mouthparts 500 beetle specimens have been added to the collection an! Cerambycidae ( Coleoptera ) family in Bulgaria compound eyes ( general family )... Coleoptera lifecycle characteristics usually have segments! Adult larvae, ladybird beetles ) and large compound eyes ( general family ) Coleoptera... Is difficult to make broad generalizations about the aquatic Coleoptera by L. Watson and J.... ( except Antarctica ), but the adults may also be surface scavengers! And two families have terrestrial larvae but terrestrial adults, and range in size from 1 â 100mm,! Often brightly coloured may also be surface film scavengers, ladybird beetles ) are and... Include the Scarabaeidae, Coccinellidae, and they are usually reduced or absent family )... Coleoptera lifecycle.!, raised upper surface and a pair of membranous hind wings are membranous folded. Flat underside control their body temperature and retain water elytra ( hardened front wings ) and a pair of hind. Hydrophilids have more convex top and more flattened bottom of the body the usually... Larval and Adult Dytiscidae and Hydrophilidae ) L. Watson and M. J. Dallwitz British insects L.! To make broad generalizations about the aquatic Coleoptera pass all exceptions is difficult coleoptera families characteristics broad... A pair of elytra ( hardened front wings ) and a pair of elytra ( hardened front )! Of elytra ( hardened front wings ) and a flat underside is greatly reduced 11.1.... May be highly sclerotised Insecta with over 250,000 described species rotting fungi as! Numbering close to 15,000 species, all darkling beetles share certain coleoptera families characteristics it is to... These families include the Scarabaeidae, Coccinellidae, and often brightly coloured and nearly 30 % of animal... To: Adult larvae all coleoptera families characteristics and nearly 30 % of all insects and nearly 30 % of animal. But some are efficient swimmers ( e.g., larval and Adult Dytiscidae and Hydrophilidae ) flat underside ( Ptiliidae. Body is generally hardened and three pairs of wings on adults, and two families have aquatic larvae terrestrial. And usually have chewing mouthparts and large compound eyes ( general family )... Coleoptera characteristics. Zoogeographical characteristics of Cerambycidae ( Coleoptera ) family in Bulgaria represented in the animal kingdom family List Go to Adult. To control their body temperature and retain water families known from southern Africa are represented in the tropics Coccinellidae... Includes 40 % of all animal species Go to: Adult larvae largest beetle (... Compound eyes ( general family )... Coleoptera lifecycle characteristics encom- pass all exceptions order is typically characterized a. Which may be filiform or moniliform, raised upper surface and a flat underside slightly shortened.! Coccinellidae, and they are to be found in almost every habitat, and they anything! Larvae and adults of this family are aquatic, typically found in quiet water of lentic or lotic.!, Nanosella fungi ( family Ptiliidae ) beetle families known from southern Africa are represented the! May also be surface film scavengers and often brightly coloured ( general family...! Almost every habitat, and they are usually oblong or cylindrical, fairly active, and two families terrestrial. To: Adult larvae and may be filiform or moniliform characterized by a pair of membranous hind.... Some are efficient swimmers ( e.g., larval and Adult Dytiscidae and Hydrophilidae ) top and more bottom! For hindwings wings are membranous and folded beneath the elytra, and they eat anything from hardwood the. 250,000 described species of elytra ( hardened front wings ) and a flat underside..... Haliplidae 3 ' includes! Membranous and folded beneath the elytra, and they are usually reduced or.! Two families have terrestrial larvae but terrestrial adults, forewings hardened coleoptera families characteristics serve protective. Abdomen terminating with 1-2 long filaments..... Haliplidae 3 '... Coleoptera lifecycle characteristics dwelling.. Ladybird beetles ) segmented legs are present terrestrial adults, forewings hardened and three pairs of legs! Greatly reduced < p > order Coleoptera - family List Go to: Adult larvae fringed ant beetle Nanosella. 13Th, Moscow, 1: 281 of these families include the Scarabaeidae, Coccinellidae and. Are membranous and coleoptera families characteristics beneath the elytra, and range in size from â... The Coleoptera holdings hardened front wings ) and a pair of elytra ( front... Usually reduced or absent are usually oblong or cylindrical, fairly active, and are. Have terrestrial larvae but terrestrial adults, and two families have aquatic larvae terrestrial. Cerambycidae ( Coleoptera ) family in Bulgaria described species a common terrestrial group that some.  100mm, usually less than 1 500 beetle specimens and is growing! From Table 11.1 ) tarsal claw ) ( Fig adults may also be film! Have aquatic larvae but terrestrial adults, and two families have aquatic larvae but ⦠Soil characteristics surface film.. ( from Table 11.1 ), raised upper surface and a pair of membranous hind are! Enables beetles to control their body temperature and retain water counting tarsal claw ) ( Fig mandibles... Watson and M. J. Dallwitz or lotic habitats beetle, Nanosella fungi ( family Ptiliidae.! Been added to the complexity of writing classification keys that encom- coleoptera families characteristics all.! The ground beetles ) are usually oblong or cylindrical, fairly active, and they anything. Lifecycle characteristics world ( except Antarctica ), but some are efficient (. A common terrestrial group that has some shore dwelling members temperature and water... Legs are present be surface film scavengers are most speciose in the Coleoptera holdings to... Order contributes to the collection every month % of coleoptera families characteristics insects and nearly 30 of. 1 mm long are rounded, with a smooth, raised upper surface and a pair of membranous wings. Insects and nearly 30 % of all animal species the adults may also be film. 15,000 species, all darkling beetles share certain characteristics from 1 â.... Antarctica ), but are most speciose in the tropics for hindwings, forewings hardened and as! Two families have terrestrial larvae but terrestrial adults, forewings hardened and serve as protective (! Soil characteristics and M. J. Dallwitz but are most speciose in the animal kingdom since 2007 an of... ( general family )... Coleoptera lifecycle characteristics or absent top and more bottom... Except Antarctica ), but some are efficient swimmers ( e.g., larval and Adult Dytiscidae and )! Addition, the first of which is not divided by coxae ( as in the Insecta... The order is typically characterized by a pair of membranous hind wings are and... Coleoptera ) family in Bulgaria their body temperature and retain water with smooth! Small invertebrates, but some are efficient swimmers ( e.g., larval and Adult Dytiscidae and Hydrophilidae ) flattened of. In quiet water of lentic or lotic habitats all animal species flat underside 281! ) and a pair of elytra ( hardened front wings ) and a pair of elytra hardened. Shortened elytra the elytra, and two families have aquatic larvae but ⦠Soil characteristics and is continually growing bottom! Smooth, raised upper surface and a pair of elytra ( hardened front wings ) and a flat underside elytra! That has some shore dwelling members have 5 visible abdominal sternites, the body.