| The Beetles |
2005
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| Beetles,
estimated at 330,000 species, outnumber any animal on earth ! They belong to the order Coleoptera - meaning 'shealth-winged'. When not in flight, the large membraneous hind-wings are tucked away under special protective fore-wings which are often metallic-coloured and irridescent. There are some 20,000 species of long-horned beetles in the world alone. These beetles are named for their lengthy antennas. Alternatively called longicorns, they are classified under Arthropoda / Mandibulata / Hexapoda / Insecta / Coleoptera / Cerambycidae Long-horned beetles are vegetarians and have powerful chewing mandibles. The larvae bore through timber, while adults often feed on new bark. |
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| Another well-known
beetle is your firefly ! See other beetles here - Leaf Beetle | Fungus Beetle | |