Beetles

Beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera, represent the most diverse group of organisms on the planet, accounting for about 40% of all described insect species and 25% of all known animal life-forms. With over 400,000 species discovered so far, these incredible insects can be found in almost every major habitat on Earth, except for the oceans and extreme polar regions. Their extraordinary success is largely due to their hardened, shield-like forewings called elytra, which protect their delicate flight wings and bodies from predators, dehydration, and physical damage. Beetles play vital ecological roles as decomposers, pollinators, predators, and prey. From the tiny featherwing beetles to the massive Goliath and Hercules beetles, they display an astonishing variety of shapes, sizes, and brilliant coloration. Whether they are tunneling through leaf litter, flying through forest canopies, or swimming in freshwater ponds, beetles are indispensable contributors to healthy ecosystems globally.

Lebensraum: Found in almost every terrestrial and freshwater habitat worldwide, including forests, grasslands, deserts, wetlands, and even inside human homes.