Beetles

~ Size from less than a millimeter up to three inches and are found almost everywhere.

~ Forewings (elytra) are leathery, thick and hard.

~ Hind wings are membranous, usually longer than forewings, but folded beneath them.

~ Chewing mouth parts are made for a variety of foods, ranging from other insects  to crushing seed or gnawing wood.

~ Metamorphosis is complete.  Larvae vary over a wide range of forms (e.g. maggots, worms, caterpillar-like).

~ Both adults and larvae can be phytophagous, predaceous, or scavengers.  Adults and larvae may be terrestrial or aquatic.

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