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Beetles - Coleoptera

Beetles are extremely diverse and are one of the most successful groups of animals in the world. There are eight times as many beetle species as there are fish, amphibian, reptile, bird and mammal species put together. The huge number of beetle species demonstrates their ability to live in almost any environment. Their front wings (called elytra) are hard sheaths that protect the beetles' hind wings and cover the breathing pores. This enables beetles to control their body temperature and retain water. Beetles also have diverse mouthparts, and they eat anything from hardwood to the ooze from rotting fungi.

Beetle facts:

• Over one-quarter of all known species of animals are beetles.
• There are over 350,000 different known beetle species worldwide and new species are being discovered all the time.
• Some1,500 species may occur in the Sydney region.
• Of the 30,000 species that may occur in Australia, only 20,000 are scientifically described.
• Beetles eat other insects, fruit, fungi, dead animal and plant material, and wood.
• Many species live in the nests of other animals.

See also within this site:
Overview of insects