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Coleoptera contains the most abundant group of animals on planet Earth. Entomologists have described more than 300,000 different species of beetles and weevils worldwide. In North America north of Mexico there are about 24,000 different species.
These individuals undergo holometabolous or complete metamorphosis. They have two pairs of wings, the front wings being described as the elytron. The front wings may be either hard or leathery, and the elytron protects the membranous wings folded beneath.
Both the adult and larval stages have chewing mouthparts. One of the key characteristics for members of this order is that their front wings are hard and veinless. Knowing the characteristic shape and color pattern on the elytron will help you identify many beneficial species in this order such as ground beetles or tiger beetles. Additionally, knowing patterns on the elytron will allow you to identify pests such as certain species of weevils and scarab beetles whose larval stages may feed on turfgrass.
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Ground beetle
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Carabidae
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