Colorado potato beetleOverview of the dorsal anatomy of a BeetleLarva of the cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha)
Discover great deals on the many hard to find and one of a kind items available only on ebay!

This site contains sponsored affiliate links.

Beetle

Beetles are one of the main groups of insects. Their order, Coleoptera (meaning "sheathed wing"), has more species in it than any other order in the entire animal kingdom. Forty percent of all described insect species are beetles (about 350,000 species), and new species are regularly discovered. more...

HomeHome
AmphibianAmphibian
ArthropodArthropod
AntAnt
AphidAphid
BedbugBedbug
BeeBee
BeetleBeetle
Black WidowBlack Widow
BumblebeeBumblebee
CentipedeCentipede
CrabCrab
CricketCricket
Daddy LonglegsDaddy Longlegs
DragonflyDragonfly
EarthwormEarthworm
EarwigEarwig
FireflyFirefly
GlowwormGlowworm
GnatGnat
GrasshopperGrasshopper
Hermit CrabHermit Crab
HornetHornet
KatydidKatydid
LadybugLadybug
LiceLice
LobsterLobster
LocustLocust
MayflyMayfly
MillipedeMillipede
MosquitoMosquito
MothMoth
Praying MantisPraying Mantis
ScarabScarab
ScorpionScorpion
Sea MonkeySea Monkey
ShrimpShrimp
SpiderSpider
TarantulaTarantula
TickTick
TrilobiteTrilobite
WaspWasp
Wolf SpiderWolf Spider
YellowjacketYellowjacket
BirdBird
CatCat
DinosaurDinosaur
DogDog
FishFish
MammalMammal
MythologicalMythological
ReptileReptile


Estimates put the total number of species — described and undescribed — at between 5 and 8 million. This is why, when J. B. S. Haldane, a British geneticist, was asked what his studies of nature revealed about God, he replied, "An inordinate fondness for beetles".

Beetles can be found in almost all habitats, but are not known to occur in the sea or in the polar regions. They have a major impact on the ecosystem in three ways: feeding on plants and fungi, breaking down animal and plant debris, and eating other invertebrates. Certain species are agricultural pests in some areas, for example the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), while other species are important controls of agricultural pests, for example the lady beetles (family Coccinellidae) consume aphids, fruit flies, thrips, and other plant-sucking insects that damage crops.

Anatomy

Bearing in mind the wide diversity and number of species the anatomy of beetles is quite uniform. Beetles are generally characterised by a particularly hard exoskeleton, and the hard wing-cases (elytra) which tend to cover the hind part of the body and protect the second wings, the alae. The elytra are not used in flying, but generally must be raised in order to move the hindwings. In some cases the ability to fly has been lost, characteristically in families such as Carabidae and Curculionidae. After landing, the hindwings are folded below the elytra.

In a few families, both the ability to fly and the wing-cases have been lost, with the best known example being the "glowworms" of the family Phengodidae, in which the females are larviform throughout their lives.

The bodies of beetles are divided into three sections, the head, the thorax, and the abdomen, and these in themselves may be composed of several further segments.

The eyes are compound, and may display some remarkable adabtability, as in the case of the Whirligig beetles (family Gyrinidae), in which the eyes are split to allow a view both above and below the waterline. The dorsal appendage aids the beetle in stalking prey.

Antennae can vary greatly and may be filiform, claviform, flabellate or genticulate.

Oxygen is taken in via a tracheal system: this takes air in through a series of tubes along the body which is then taken into increasingly finer fibres. Pumping movements of the body force the air through the system. Although beetles have blood, it is not used for oxygen transference, although a heart is present.

Development

Beetles are endopterygotes with complete metamorphosis. The larva of a beetle is often called a grub and represents the principal feeding stage of the life-cycle.

The eggs of beetles are minute but may be brightly coloured, they are laid in clumps and there may be from several dozen to several thousand eggs laid by a single female.

Once the egg hatches the larvae tend to feed voraciously, whether out in the open such as with Ladybird larvae, or within plants such as with leaf beetle larvae.

As with lepidoptera, beetle larvae pupate for a period, and from the pupa emerges a fully formed beetle or imago.

In some cases there are several transitory larvae stages and this is known as hypermetamorphosis; examples include the blister beetles (family Meloidae).

Physiology

There are few things that a beetle somewhere will not eat, even inorganic matter may be consumed.

Some beetles are highly specialised in their diet; for example, the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) opts almost entirely to colonize plants of the potato family (Solanaceae). Others are generalists, eating both plants and animals. Ground beetles (family Carabidae) and rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) are entirely carnivorous and will catch and comsume small prey such as earthworms and snails.

Decaying organic matter is a primary diet for many species, this can range from dung which is consumed by coprophagous species such as the scarab beetles (family Scarabaeidae), to dead animals which are eaten by necrophagous species such as the carrion beetles (family Silphidae). The beneficial impact to the general ecology of these two activities is huge.

Various techniques are employed by many species for retaining both air and water supplies. Predaceous diving beetles (family Dytiscidae) may be the most common example, they employ a technique of retaining air when diving between the abdomen and the elytra.

Reproduction

The larval period of beetles varies between species but can be as long as several years. Adults have an extremely variable lifespan, again, from weeks to years.

Beetles may display some extremely intricate behaviour when mating. Smell is thought to play significant importance in the location of a mate.

Conflict can play a part in the mating rituals for example in species such as burying beetles (genus Nicrophorus) where localised conflicts between males and females rage until only one of each is left, thus ensuring reproduction by the strongest and fittest. Many beetles are territorial and will fiercly defend their small patch of territory from intruding males.

Pairing is generally short but in some cases will last for several hours. During pairing sperm cells are transferred to the female to fertilise the egg.

Parental care

As befitting such a large order, the parental care between species varies widely. It ranges from the simple laying of eggs under a leaf to scarab beetles, which construct impressive underground structures complete with a supply of dung to house and feed their young.

There are other notable ways of caring for the eggs and young, such as those employed by leaf rollers, who bite sections of leaf causing it to curl inwards and then lay the eggs, thus protected, inside.

Generally the number of eggs laid is an indicator of the level of parental care subsequently employed, as they are inversely proportional.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]

Insectopolis : A Natural History by Peter Kuper (2025, Hardcover)Insectopolis : A Natural History by Peter Kuper (2025, Hardcover) $29.75 Revo Geo Lethocerus deyrollei Bug L155mm Pvc Abs Action Figure Rg005 KaiyodoRevo Geo Lethocerus deyrollei Bug L155mm Pvc Abs Action Figure Rg005 Kaiyodo $83.82
44mm Real Green Flower Chafer Beetle in Clear Resin Science Education Specimen44mm Real Green Flower Chafer Beetle in Clear Resin Science Education Specimen $7.15 One Of A Kind Amber Specimen: Multiple Whole Invertebrates/PartsOne Of A Kind Amber Specimen: Multiple Whole Invertebrates/Parts $400.00
Tiger Beetles: The Evolution, Ecology, and Diversity of the Cicindelids (Cor.Tiger Beetles: The Evolution, Ecology, and Diversity of the Cicindelids (Cor. $26.93 Chemical Ecology of Insect Parasitoids by Eric Wajnberg (English) Hardcover BookChemical Ecology of Insect Parasitoids by Eric Wajnberg (English) Hardcover Book $118.65
BeetleBeetle $45.79 New ListingBh8577 Hansa Giant beetle 37New ListingBh8577 Hansa Giant beetle 37 $64.92
New ListingRare Baltic Amber 25g w/ Insect Inclusion – Strong Uv Glow Eocene Fossil ResinNew ListingRare Baltic Amber 25g w/ Insect Inclusion – Strong Uv Glow Eocene Fossil Resin $65.00 Beetles of Eastern North America by Arthur V. Evans (English) Paperback BookBeetles of Eastern North America by Arthur V. Evans (English) Paperback Book $71.99
Archer Insect Growth Regulator - 16 fl oz by SyngentaArcher Insect Growth Regulator - 16 fl oz by Syngenta $62.99 Premium Grade Large Framed 3 Horned Beetle - World Heaviest Beetle! (02)Premium Grade Large Framed 3 Horned Beetle - World Heaviest Beetle! (02) $125.98
Dropzone Commander Bnib Scourge Walker Armour BattlegroupDropzone Commander Bnib Scourge Walker Armour Battlegroup $54.32 Kaiyodo Revo Geo Kirkaldyia deyrolli 155mm Action Figure F/S w/Tracking# JapanKaiyodo Revo Geo Kirkaldyia deyrolli 155mm Action Figure F/S w/Tracking# Japan $131.39
Burmite Praying Mantis?ebay=Loss $., buy On.etsyBurmite Praying Mantis?ebay=Loss $., buy On.etsy $29.00 Ischiopsopha Bifasciata. Real Cetoniinae beetle embedded in clear casting resin.Ischiopsopha Bifasciata. Real Cetoniinae beetle embedded in clear casting resin. $14.99
Insectopolis: A Natural History by Peter Kuper [Hardback]Insectopolis: A Natural History by Peter Kuper [Hardback] $31.88 Insectopolis: A Natural History by Peter Kuper Hardcover BookInsectopolis: A Natural History by Peter Kuper Hardcover Book $35.18
New ListingArthropods and Human Skin by Arthur Rock (English) Paperback BookNew ListingArthropods and Human Skin by Arthur Rock (English) Paperback Book $134.35 Dropzone Commander Bnib Harbinger DropshipDropzone Commander Bnib Harbinger Dropship $16.29
Very Rare, Superb Ethiopian Amber Fossil W Beetle Insect Inclusion Am3 3.53gVery Rare, Superb Ethiopian Amber Fossil W Beetle Insect Inclusion Am3 3.53g $475.27 Morphology and Systematics: Phytophaga by Miguel A. Alonso-Zarazaga (English) HaMorphology and Systematics: Phytophaga by Miguel A. Alonso-Zarazaga (English) Ha $777.95
Entrust Sc Naturalyte Insecticide - 1 Quart (Omri Certified Organic - Spinosad)Entrust Sc Naturalyte Insecticide - 1 Quart (Omri Certified Organic - Spinosad) $629.95 Peter Kuper Insectopolis (Hardback)Peter Kuper Insectopolis (Hardback) $44.51
Xxl Real Giant Cendipede - Scolopendra morsitans - Centipede - museum qualityXxl Real Giant Cendipede - Scolopendra morsitans - Centipede - museum quality $66.50 Rsr- Ultra Rare Over 30 Beetles in Dominican Amber Fossil #1DrRsr- Ultra Rare Over 30 Beetles in Dominican Amber Fossil #1Dr $2,000.00
Real Beetle's from around the world - So vibrant and beautiful in personReal Beetle's from around the world - So vibrant and beautiful in person $1,200.00 Tiny 3½" Black Red Rhinoceros Beetle Horn Scarab Rhinoceros Beetle 3.5 Bk RTiny 3½" Black Red Rhinoceros Beetle Horn Scarab Rhinoceros Beetle 3.5 Bk R $39.81
Arthropods of Tropical Forests: Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Resource Use in theArthropods of Tropical Forests: Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Resource Use in the $67.35 3 insect beetle set perfect full collection data A-1 perfect great color3 insect beetle set perfect full collection data A-1 perfect great color $36.00
Arthropod Diversity and Conservation by David L. Hawksworth (English) HardcoverArthropod Diversity and Conservation by David L. Hawksworth (English) Hardcover $249.09 National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Insects and Spiders & Related SpecieNational Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Insects and Spiders & Related Specie $46.07
Miocene Dominican Amber Fossil With Phorid Insect Under Attack Pa13Miocene Dominican Amber Fossil With Phorid Insect Under Attack Pa13 $50.92 Real mounted beetle - Trigonophorus rothschildi - purple form - Rare - A1Real mounted beetle - Trigonophorus rothschildi - purple form - Rare - A1 $58.00
Dung Beetle Shirt Cool Insect Bug Weird Entomology Tee Vintage Nature T ShirtDung Beetle Shirt Cool Insect Bug Weird Entomology Tee Vintage Nature T Shirt $19.99 Kaiyodo Revogeo Tagame (Kirkaldyia deyrolli) Giant water bug 155mm figure Rg005Kaiyodo Revogeo Tagame (Kirkaldyia deyrolli) Giant water bug 155mm figure Rg005 $123.98
Protocols for Cytogenetic Mapping of Arthropod Genomes, Hardcover by Sharakho.Protocols for Cytogenetic Mapping of Arthropod Genomes, Hardcover by Sharakho. $241.41 Fashionable Creative Simple Individual Vintage Green Insect Beetle Beetle BeetleFashionable Creative Simple Individual Vintage Green Insect Beetle Beetle Beetle $7.59
Tiger Beetles: The Evolution, Ecology, And Diversity Of By David L. Pearson VgTiger Beetles: The Evolution, Ecology, And Diversity Of By David L. Pearson Vg $45.95 Deep Sea Creature Series Munyuma Giant Warbler Stuffed Toy Xl Size Gray 7347Deep Sea Creature Series Munyuma Giant Warbler Stuffed Toy Xl Size Gray 7347 $111.53
Kaiyodo Revo Geo Tagame (Kirkaldyia deyrolli) Total length about 155mm PaintedKaiyodo Revo Geo Tagame (Kirkaldyia deyrolli) Total length about 155mm Painted $121.67 Coleoptera, Beetles. Morphology and Systematics by Rolf G. Beutel [Hardback]Coleoptera, Beetles. Morphology and Systematics by Rolf G. Beutel [Hardback] $544.52
World's Best Bug Catcher Beetle Hunter Collector Cute Insect Unisex T-shirtWorld's Best Bug Catcher Beetle Hunter Collector Cute Insect Unisex T-shirt $14.99 Tst Advance Deep Sea Creatures Series Giant Beetle Plush Extra Large Gray 7317Tst Advance Deep Sea Creatures Series Giant Beetle Plush Extra Large Gray 7317 $140.35
Real Mounted Framed Beetle - Eupholus linnei - Beautiful Blue Weevil GemReal Mounted Framed Beetle - Eupholus linnei - Beautiful Blue Weevil Gem $17.82 Volume 1: Morphology and Systematics (Archostemata, Adephaga, Myxophaga, PolyphaVolume 1: Morphology and Systematics (Archostemata, Adephaga, Myxophaga, Polypha $354.84
Peter Kuper Insectopolis (Hardback) (Uk Import)Peter Kuper Insectopolis (Hardback) (Uk Import) $57.85 Port and Company Shirt Mens Xl Blue Long Sleeve Bug Wasp Graphic Insect PulloverPort and Company Shirt Mens Xl Blue Long Sleeve Bug Wasp Graphic Insect Pullover $10.79
Other Insect Societies, Hardcover by Costa, James T.; Holldobler, Bert (Frw);.Other Insect Societies, Hardcover by Costa, James T.; Holldobler, Bert (Frw);. $98.16 Polyphylla Real Framed Beetle 10 Lined June Bug Arizona UsaPolyphylla Real Framed Beetle 10 Lined June Bug Arizona Usa $16.00
Miocene Silicified arthropod fossil beetle shrimp microfossil matrix sampleMiocene Silicified arthropod fossil beetle shrimp microfossil matrix sample $13.58
Click to see more Beetle items at www.ebay.com
Prices current as of last update, 07/11/25 5:35am.

Home Contact Resources Exchange Links eBay