THE BEETLES: COLEOPTERA 



45 



The larvae are the well-known white grubs often turned up 

 by the plow in the spring. The pupal stage is also passed 



FIG. 28. Metamorphosis of June-Beetle. Natural size 



in the ground. The imagoes feed on the leaves of trees, often 

 completely defoliating them. 



Definition of Coleoptera (Gr. koleos, sheath ; pteron, wing). 

 The insects which we have considered in this chapter agree in 

 possessing biting mouth-parts and hardened sheaths to cover 

 the posterior wings. They are termed beetles, or Ooleop'tera. 

 The Coleoptera undergo a " complete " metamorphosis ; their 

 larvae are called grubs. 



