X 



COLEOPTERA 



Beetles 

 This is the largest order of insects on earth. There are 



more than 20,000 species of beetles in North America. They 



are adapted to almost every situation 

 and every kind of food. They 

 "possess the earth" more fully than 

 does any other similar group of 

 animals. 



Beetles form a very natural and 

 easily recognizable group. They are 

 mostly hard shelled. The fore wings 

 are horny and close fitting over the 

 body, and meet in a straight line 

 down the middle of the back. These 

 form a highly protective sheath.* The 

 mouthparts are formed for biting, 

 and are similar to those of the stone- 

 fly described in our opening chapter. 

 The antennae are generally promi- 

 nent, but vary endlessly in details 

 of form. The prothorax is unusually 



free, and the synthorax is consolidated with the abdomen. 



The coxae of the hind legs are closely applied to the meta- 



thorax. 



Fxg. 37. — Beetles on golden- 

 rod flowers; a locust borer 

 (center), two soldier beetles (at 

 right) and three black blister- 

 beetles (from the author's Out- 

 door Studies). 



* Whence the name of the order (coleon, sheath, and pier on wing). 



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