A general category for species from the Coleoptera order
Family: - Various
Order: - Coleoptera
Description:
Adult
Day or night flying or flightless.
Colour - Various.
Body - Usually flattened.
Wings - 2 Pairs. Front wings modified to form hard protective cases (elytra) for rear wings. When at rest they meet in a straight line down the centre of the back. Rear wings membranous and folded both lengthwise and across so they fit under their protective cases. When in flight the elytra are held at an angle and the rear wings beat rapidly. Rear wings may be reduced or absent in some species. Wing-span up to 200mm. Both pairs attached to the hind body.
Mouthparts - Chewing. Pointing forward.
Antennae - 8-11 segments normally.
Legs - Rear legs larger than front legs. Feet (Tarsi) have 3-5 segments with 1 or 2 claws on the end segment.
Head - Rigid. Large rounded compound eyes.
Thorax - Front segment associated with head to form distinct fore body. Front segment covered by a hard plate (pronotum). 2 rear segments fused and associated with the abdomen to form hind body.
Abdomen - 10 segments in male, 9 in female. Often only 8 can be counted by eye. Spiracles on segments 1-7 and often on 8 also.
Egg - Usually simple and ovoid.
Habits - Can't fly when cold.
Larva -
Colour - various
Body - 4 main types. 1) C shaped long leg grubs; 2) Short legged cylindrical; 3) Long legged cylindrical, active; 4) No legs.
Mouthparts - Chewing. Transverse action.
Antennae - 4 segments or less.
Legs - Has no legs or 6 legs. 5 segments.
Head - Usually a hard capsule. No ridges on forehead.
Thorax - No functional spiracle on middle segment.
Abdomen - 8-11 segments. Rarely has prolegs. If present they don't have crochets. Spiracles on segments 1 to 8.
Habits -
Pupa -
Biology:
Life Cycle:
Eggs usually laid near food source for larva. Larva hatch. Pupa often sealed in soil or food plant. Often over winters in the pupal form to emerge in spring as the adult.
Habitats:
Origin and History:
Distribution:
Significance:
Economic pests include cockchafers, canegrubs, whitegrubs, wire-worms, weevils, Ambrosia beetles,
Management and Control:
Related Species:
Similar Species:
References:
Acknowledgments:
Collated by HerbiGuide. Phone 08 98444064 for more information.