adult beetles
Full-grown shelled insects
Adult beetles are the fully developed, mature stage of insects in the order Coleoptera, characterized by hardened forewings that form protective covers over their flight wings.
This distinguishes them from larvae (grubs) and pupae.
Most beetle species spend the majority of their lives as larvae, with the adult stage focused primarily on reproduction: The adult beetles emerge in late spring to mate.
- insectSix-legged invertebrate
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- hard shellRigid outer protective layer
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- mandiblesPaired arthropod mouthparts
carapace · wings · elytra · crawling · grub · metamorphosis · scarab · weevil · leaf eater · garden pest · ladybug · firefly · dung · carrion · bark · burrowing · iridescent · chitinous