BEETLES 



(Coleoptera) 

 INJURIOUS TO OUR FRUIT-PRODUCING PLANTS. 



This extensive Order of insects embraces over 80,000 differ- 

 ent kinds of beetles, of which over 11,000 species are found in 

 North America north of Mexico. A very large number of de- 

 structive beings is placed in this order. They are not alone in- 

 jurious to the foliage and fruit, but also to the very trunks and 

 roots of trees. Some of them exist freely exposed in all their 

 stages, while many more live hidden in infested plants, in fruit, 

 in seeds, and in the soil near by. Notwithstanding the various 

 forms at home in all conceivable places, they are readily recog- 

 nized as beetles, and only a very few rare species may give the 

 farmer trouble in placing them in the Order to which they belong. 

 In a few words the following definition will describe all kinds of 

 beetles : they possess a pair of horny wing-covers called elytra, 

 which meet on the back in a straight line, i. e., do not overlap, and 

 beneath these horny organs are the true -wings, composed of more 

 or less delicate membranes. The mouth-parts are formed for 

 biting, not for sucking. The metamorphosis is complete, or, in 

 other words, the different stages do not resemble each other, and 

 the pupa is inactive, neither moving about nor taking food. 



Any insect possessing the above characteristics is a beetle, and 

 in Minnesota there need be no difficulty in recognizing it as 

 such. The scientific term Coleoptera is derived from two Greek 

 words : coleos, a sheath, and pteron, a wing. This name character- 

 izes these insects very well, as the horny and sheath-like elytra or 

 wing-covers protect the delicate true wings below. Sometimes 

 these elytra cover the whole upper part of the abdomen as well. 

 Although they occupy the position of the fore-wings, they are, 

 perhaps, not true wings at all, as in all events they are not used 

 for flight. The hind-wings are membranous and excellent organs 

 for flight, being mostly very large, with few but strong support- 

 ing veins. When not in use these wings are snugly folded be- 



