Beetles are the group of insects with the largest number of known species. They are members of the largest order of animals: Coleoptera.
- 25 percent of all life-forms
- 40 percent of all species of insects are from the beetle family (about 400,000 species)
- Total species: Some estimates as high as 100 million; 1 million more probable
- Largest family in the animal kingdom belongs to this order – the weevils or snout beetles
Family Structure
- Eggs: Each female has several dozen to several thousand over the course of her lifetime
- Morph after birth into a completely different body structure
- First stage: larvae. May last several years in some species
- Second stage: pupa
- Third stage: adult
Appearance
- Body: head, thorax, and abdomen
Habitat
- Found in almost all habitats, including freshwater and marine
- Live wherever vegetative foliage grows – in tree bark, flowers, leaves, underground near roots, inside plant tissue
Diet
- Plants and fungi
- Break down animal and plant debris
- Other invertebrates
Characteristics
- Prey of other animals, including birds and mammals
- Some are agricultural pests (e.g., boll weevil, red flour beetle, Colorado potato beetle, and cowpea beetle)
- Others are important to controlling other agricultural pests (i.e., beetles in the family of ladybirds or ladybugs eat other insects that damage crops)
Contact Us
Contact us for help with a Beetle problem. You may also call either our Central Coast office or our Ventura County office.
