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Beetles are the group of insects with the largest number of known species. The general anatomy of beetles is quite uniform, although specific organs and appendages may vary greatly in appearance and function between the many families in the order. Like all insects, beetles' bodies are divided into three sections: the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. We see here the long-horned borer beetle showing the larva, pupa, and adult insect.

Beetle

Beetles are the group of insects with the largest number of known species. The general anatomy of beetles…

This species is dreaded by furriers because of the damage it inflicts.

Attagenus Pellio

This species is dreaded by furriers because of the damage it inflicts.

"They eat bacon, skins, and also attack each other. The perfect insect does no damage. Insects in this family feign death when attacked."

Bacon Beetle (Dermestes Lardarius)

"They eat bacon, skins, and also attack each other. The perfect insect does no damage. Insects in this…

"It is very rare in northern climates. It may be found on birch trees. In the hottest parts of the world they are very abundant; they are of large dimensions and adorned with sparkling colors."

Buprestis (Cyria) Imperialis

"It is very rare in northern climates. It may be found on birch trees. In the hottest parts of the world…

"A very beautiful specimen of this tribe may be found in June on oak-tees."

Pupa of Calosoma Auropunctata

"A very beautiful specimen of this tribe may be found in June on oak-tees."

"An Australian insect, of a bright black, which attains to more than an inch and three quarters in length, and whose short, serrated legs enable it to hollow out the ground."

Campylocnemis Schroeteri

"An Australian insect, of a bright black, which attains to more than an inch and three quarters in length,…

"Abounds in trees and gardens. When it is touched it disgorges a black and acrid saliva, and ejects from the abdomen a corrosive liquid of a disagreeable odor. It lives on the larvae of other insects."

Carabus Canaliculatus

"Abounds in trees and gardens. When it is touched it disgorges a black and acrid saliva, and ejects…

"Figure 9- Anthrenus scrofulariae, enlarged; the short line shows natural size. a, b, larvae; c, pupa; d, imago" Elliot Coues, 1884 Carpet beetles are very small more oval to rounded shape. Their bright colorful scales vary in shades of tan, brown, red, gray, and white.

Various Stages of a Carpet Beetle

"Figure 9- Anthrenus scrofulariae, enlarged; the short line shows natural size. a, b, larvae; c, pupa;…

"These insects often feed upon matter in a state of putrefaction. They are nature's undertakers. A great number live on the skins and flesh of dried animals; some attack roots, bark, wood, leaves and fruits."

Cetonia Argentea

"These insects often feed upon matter in a state of putrefaction. They are nature's undertakers. A great…

"In from four to six weeks after being laid, the little larvae are hatched, and immediately attack the roots of vegetables."

Larva of the Cockchafer (Melolontha Vulgaris)

"In from four to six weeks after being laid, the little larvae are hatched, and immediately attack the…

"In from four to six weeks after being laid, the little larvae are hatched, and immediately attack the roots of vegetables."

Larva of the Cockchafer (Melolontha Vulgaris)

"In from four to six weeks after being laid, the little larvae are hatched, and immediately attack the…

"At the end of the third year it changes into a pupa, after having surrounded itself with a cocoon consolidated with a glutinous froth and some threads of silk."

Pupa of the Cockchafer (Melolontha Vulgaris)

"At the end of the third year it changes into a pupa, after having surrounded itself with a cocoon consolidated…

"At the end of the third year it changes into a pupa, after having surrounded itself with a cocoon consolidated with a glutinous froth and some threads of silk."

Pupa of the Cockchafer (Melolontha Vulgaris)

"At the end of the third year it changes into a pupa, after having surrounded itself with a cocoon consolidated…

"According to a traveler, the women of Egypt eat these cooked with butter to make them fat. They are used also for earache, bite of the scorpion, etc."

Ctenostoma Rugosa

"According to a traveler, the women of Egypt eat these cooked with butter to make them fat. They are…

"An insect very common in Havana, Brazil, Guiana and Mexico. It may be seen at night in great numbers amongst the foliage of trees. They sometimes are so numerous that they light up the forests for travelers in those countries where the heat prevents traveling by day."

Cucuyo (Pyrophorus Noctilucus)

"An insect very common in Havana, Brazil, Guiana and Mexico. It may be seen at night in great numbers…

Another insect belonging to the <em>Dytici</em> family, or Water Beetles.

Cybister Roeselii

Another insect belonging to the Dytici family, or Water Beetles.

"They introduce themselves under the skin of the carcasses of animals, and devour their flesh to the bone. [This] species climbs trees and attacks caterpillars."

Dung Beetle (Silpha Quadrapunctata)

"They introduce themselves under the skin of the carcasses of animals, and devour their flesh to the…

"The <em>Ateuchi</em> are large, flat insects, with a broudtoothed clypeus. To this genus belongs the Sacred Scarabaeus of the Egyptians."

Dynastes Hercules

"The Ateuchi are large, flat insects, with a broudtoothed clypeus. To this genus belongs the…

"The most common species of the <em>Dytici</em>, or Water Beetles. They sometimes attack the <em>Hydrophilus Piceus</em>."

Dyticus Marginalis (Female)

"The most common species of the Dytici, or Water Beetles. They sometimes attack the Hydrophilus…

"The most common species of the <em>Dytici</em>, or Water Beetles. They sometimes attack the <em>Hydrophilus Piceus</em>."

Dyticus Marginalis (Male)

"The most common species of the Dytici, or Water Beetles. They sometimes attack the Hydrophilus…

"A larger species from Brazil, with very long front legs."

Epinectus Sulcatus

"A larger species from Brazil, with very long front legs."

An illustration of a female blister beetle.

Female Blister Beetle

An illustration of a female blister beetle.

"The innumerable tribe of Harpalidae (or Harpalinae) contains carnivorous beetles of very small size. Hidden under stones, in dry leaves, at the foot of trees, they attack a number of small insects, caterpillars, etc., exterminating a quantity of vermin."

Larva of Galerita Lecontei

"The innumerable tribe of Harpalidae (or Harpalinae) contains carnivorous beetles of very small size.…

"It has the power of making its natural torch shine or disappear at will. The luminous properties with which the females alone of these insects are endowed serve to reveal their presence to the opposite sex."

Female Lampyris Noctiluca

"It has the power of making its natural torch shine or disappear at will. The luminous properties with…

"It has the power of making its natural torch shine or disappear at will. The luminous properties with which the females alone of these insects are endowed serve to reveal their presence to the opposite sex."

Male Lampyris Noctiluca

"It has the power of making its natural torch shine or disappear at will. The luminous properties with…

"Abounds in trees and gardens. When it is touched it disgorges a black and acrid saliva, and ejects from the abdomen a corrosive liquid of a disagreeable odor. It lives on the larvae of other insects."

Golden Ground Beetle (Carabus Auratus)

"Abounds in trees and gardens. When it is touched it disgorges a black and acrid saliva, and ejects…

"This represents the Goliaths. These insects often feed upon matter in a state of putrefaction. They are nature's undertakers. A great number live on the skins and flesh of dried animals; some attack roots, bark, wood, leaves and fruits. The male of the Goliaths, found on the coast of Guiana."

Goliathus Cacicus (Male)

"This represents the Goliaths. These insects often feed upon matter in a state of putrefaction. They…

"This represents the Goliaths. These insects often feed upon matter in a state of putrefaction. They are nature's undertakers. A great number live on the skins and flesh of dried animals; some attack roots, bark, wood, leaves and fruits."

Goliathus Derbyana

"This represents the Goliaths. These insects often feed upon matter in a state of putrefaction. They…

"This represents the Goliaths. These insects often feed upon matter in a state of putrefaction. They are nature's undertakers. A great number live on the skins and flesh of dried animals; some attack roots, bark, wood, leaves and fruits."

Goliathus Polyphemus

"This represents the Goliaths. These insects often feed upon matter in a state of putrefaction. They…

"A distinct species, which exists in a little lake of mineral waters in France, where visitors amuse themselves by fishing for them with a line baited with bits of red cloth, which it attacks."

Gyrinus Distinctus

"A distinct species, which exists in a little lake of mineral waters in France, where visitors amuse…

"They swim rapidly, describing incessantly capricious circles. These movements have gained for them the name of Whirligigs. They have four eyes, the lower ones looking into the water, while the upper eyes look upward toward the air."

Gyrinus Natator

"They swim rapidly, describing incessantly capricious circles. These movements have gained for them…

"They swim rapidly, describing incessantly capricious circles. These movements have gained for them the name of Whirligigs. They have four eyes, the lower ones looking into the water, while the upper eyes look upward toward the air."

Larva of Gyrinus Natator

"They swim rapidly, describing incessantly capricious circles. These movements have gained for them…

"The <em>Gyrinus Striatus</em> is found in the waters of Southern Europe. These insects are all small, not exceeding, as a rule, one fifth of an inch in length."

Gyrinus Striatus

"The Gyrinus Striatus is found in the waters of Southern Europe. These insects are all small,…

"The innumerable tribe of Harpalidae (or Harpalinae) contains carnivorous beetles of very small size. Hidden under stones, in dry leaves, at the foot of trees, they attack a number of small insects, caterpillars, etc., exterminating a quantity of vermin."

Harpalus Aeneus

"The innumerable tribe of Harpalidae (or Harpalinae) contains carnivorous beetles of very small size.…

"It is common in fresh waters. It must not be seized without taking precautions, as its breast is provided with a strong point, which pierces the skin."

Hydrophilus Piceus

"It is common in fresh waters. It must not be seized without taking precautions, as its breast is provided…

"The female is sometimes seen clinging to aquatic plants head downward, forming her cocoon, terminated by a long pedicle, in which she places her eggs, by means of the two bristles situated at the extremity of the abdomen."

Bristles at the Extremity of the Abdomen of the Hydrophilus Piceus

"The female is sometimes seen clinging to aquatic plants head downward, forming her cocoon, terminated…

"At the end of two months the larva comes out of the water and burrows into the ground to undergo its metamorphosis into a pupa, which becomes a perfect insect a month afterward."

Pupa of the Hydrophilus Piceus

"At the end of two months the larva comes out of the water and burrows into the ground to undergo its…

"All vegetables, the vine, fruit trees, the ash, pine, etc., are eaten by some weevil or other."

Hylesinus Piniperda

"All vegetables, the vine, fruit trees, the ash, pine, etc., are eaten by some weevil or other."

"They are met with in South America. The males have an extraordinary head. They fly during the day around the great trees on which they live."

Inca Clathrata

"They are met with in South America. The males have an extraordinary head. They fly during the day around…

"The [potato beetle larva] is pale yellow, or, rather, dusky-yellow, or freckled with minute black dots on the back; and there are two rows of larger black dots along each side; the legs are black."&mdash;Nicholson, 1884

Larva of Potato Beetle

"The [potato beetle larva] is pale yellow, or, rather, dusky-yellow, or freckled with minute black dots…

Beetles in the family Chrysomelidae are commonly known as leaf beetles.

Lina Populi

Beetles in the family Chrysomelidae are commonly known as leaf beetles.

"a, first or trungulin larva ( line shows natural size)." - Century, 1889

Male Blister Beetle

"a, first or trungulin larva ( line shows natural size)." - Century, 1889

The grubs of the may beetle can be very destructive to turf.

May Beetle

The grubs of the may beetle can be very destructive to turf.

"The <em>Ateuchi</em> are large, flat insects, with a broudtoothed clypeus. To this genus belongs the Sacred Scarabaeus of the Egyptians."

Megaceras Chorinaeus

"The Ateuchi are large, flat insects, with a broudtoothed clypeus. To this genus belongs the…

"The innumerable tribe of Harpalidae (or Harpalinae) contains carnivorous beetles of very small size. Hidden under stones, in dry leaves, at the foot of trees, they attack a number of small insects, caterpillars, etc., exterminating a quantity of vermin."

Larva of Mormolyce Phyllodes

"The innumerable tribe of Harpalidae (or Harpalinae) contains carnivorous beetles of very small size.…

"They are small almost globular, of a pale yellow with green lines, an live in sand bordering rivers. This species can be found all along the coast of the Mediterranean."

Nebria Arenaria

"They are small almost globular, of a pale yellow with green lines, an live in sand bordering rivers.…

"They introduce themselves under the skin of the carcasses of animals, and devour their flesh to the bone." This one is native to Australia.

Necrodes Lacrymosa

"They introduce themselves under the skin of the carcasses of animals, and devour their flesh to the…

"They introduce themselves under the skin of the carcasses of animals, and devour their flesh to the bone."

Necrodes Littoralis (Female)

"They introduce themselves under the skin of the carcasses of animals, and devour their flesh to the…

"The <em>Necrophori</em>, or Grave Diggers, are honest undertakers, who carefully bury carcasses left on the soil."

Necrophorus Germanicus

"The Necrophori, or Grave Diggers, are honest undertakers, who carefully bury carcasses left…

"The <em>Necrophori</em>, or Grave Diggers, are honest undertakers, who carefully bury carcasses left on the soil."

Necrophorus Vespillo

"The Necrophori, or Grave Diggers, are honest undertakers, who carefully bury carcasses left…

"They are small almost globular, of a pale yellow with green lines, an live in sand bordering rivers."

Omophron Libatum

"They are small almost globular, of a pale yellow with green lines, an live in sand bordering rivers."

"A common specimen about an inch long, of a chestnut brown and perfectly smooth. The male, but not the female, has on its head a horn. Its larva lives in rotten wood."

Oryctes Nasicornis (Male)

"A common specimen about an inch long, of a chestnut brown and perfectly smooth. The male, but not the…

Also known as Doryphora decemlineata. It is approximately 10 millimeters in length, with a bright yellow body and bold brown stripes along the length of each of its elytra.

Potato Beetle

Also known as Doryphora decemlineata. It is approximately 10 millimeters in length, with a bright yellow…

"Lives on the debris of reeds, and on the borders of marshes."

Pselaphus Heisii

"Lives on the debris of reeds, and on the borders of marshes."

"The rose-beetle frequents roses especially, of which it eats the petals and stamens. They fly by day and night, without opening their anterior wings."

Rose Beetle (Cetonia Aurata)

"The rose-beetle frequents roses especially, of which it eats the petals and stamens. They fly by day…

"It is found in rotten wood, and often in ants' nests. When it has acquired its full development, it makes a cocoon of oval form, in which it transforms itself into a pupa."

Larva of Rose Beetle (Cetonia Aurata)

"It is found in rotten wood, and often in ants' nests. When it has acquired its full development, it…

"Some species collect portions of excrement, which they make up into balls and roll them until they are as perfectly rounded as pills, in which they lay their eggs."

Scarabaeus (Golofa) Porteri

"Some species collect portions of excrement, which they make up into balls and roll them until they…

"Sometimes this larva destroys great forests of oak trees. In 1783, in the Forest of Hartz, 1,500,000 trees were destroyed by these insects."

Larva of Scolytus

"Sometimes this larva destroys great forests of oak trees. In 1783, in the Forest of Hartz, 1,500,000…

"They introduce themselves under the skin of the carcasses of animals, and devour their flesh to the bone. [This] species climbs trees and attacks caterpillars."

Silpha Thoracica

"They introduce themselves under the skin of the carcasses of animals, and devour their flesh to the…

"The female <em>Sitaris Humeralis</em> lays at the entrance of the nest of a solitary bee from 2,000 to 3,000 small, whitich eggs, stuck together in shapeless masses."

Sitaris Humeralis

"The female Sitaris Humeralis lays at the entrance of the nest of a solitary bee from 2,000…