Beetles Laura Horch October 12, 2005 Education 140 Bugscope Project

Dorsal Anatomy of a Beetle

Beetles Beetles are one of the main groups of insects Beetles are one of the main groups of insects They belong to the order Coleoptera, which means “Sheathed Wing” They belong to the order Coleoptera, which means “Sheathed Wing” It has more species than any other order in the entire animal kingdom It has more species than any other order in the entire animal kingdom

Beetles-habitat They can be found in almost all habitats They are not known to occur in the sea and polar regions

Beetles-ecosystem They have a major impact on the ecosystem in three ways: 1. Feed on plants and fungi 2. Break down animal and plant debris 3. Eat other invertebrates

Beetles-mating Smell is thought to play a significant importance in the location of a mate Smell is thought to play a significant importance in the location of a mate Pairing is generally short but in some cases may last for several hours Pairing is generally short but in some cases may last for several hours During pairing sperm cells are transferred to the female to fertilize the egg During pairing sperm cells are transferred to the female to fertilize the egg

Beetles-life cycle Beetles have complete metamorphosis Each beetle starts as an egg, hatches into a larva, becomes a pupa, and emerges as an adult

Beetles-diet They feed on foliage, roots, flowers, seed, and fruits They feed on foliage, roots, flowers, seed, and fruits Colorado potato beetles opt almost entirely to colonize plants of the potato family Colorado potato beetles opt almost entirely to colonize plants of the potato family Others are generalists, eating both plants and animals Others are generalists, eating both plants and animals Ground beetles are entirely carnivorous and will catch and consume small prey such as earthworms and snails Ground beetles are entirely carnivorous and will catch and consume small prey such as earthworms and snails

Beetle-protection Beetles and larvae have evolved to employ a variety of strategies for avoiding being eaten 1. Camouflage 2. Use of strong mandibles 3. Secretion of poisonous substances

Beetles-giraffe and hissing

Beetles- red may and stag

NSES-Bugscope Project Life Science: Content Standard C (Grades 5-8) Reproduction and heredity: females produce eggs and males produce sperm an egg and sperm unite to begin development of a new individual Regulation and behavior: an organism's behavior evolves through adaptation to its environment Populations and ecosystems: consumers, which obtain food by eating other organisms

Authenticity of Technology The scanning electron microscope allows students to view the insect with a very large magnification. The scanning electron microscope allows students to view the insect with a very large magnification. The ESEM allows light to pass through the object, allowing the students to see the magnified insect clearly with all the details shown. The ESEM allows light to pass through the object, allowing the students to see the magnified insect clearly with all the details shown. The students can learn the many parts of an insect through viewing it under the ESEM. The students can learn the many parts of an insect through viewing it under the ESEM.

Literature Sources 1. National Audubon Society First Field Guide: Insects 2. Beetle Bedlam by Vlasta van Kampen 3. The Best Book of Bugs by Kingfisher

Bugscope- curricular activities 1. Students can compare different structures of different insects. They can learn that important levels of organization for structure and function include cells, organs, tissues, organ systems, whole organisms, and ecosystems. 2. Students can learn that millions of species of animals and microorganisms are alive today. Although different species might not look alike, the unity among organisms becomes apparent from an analysis of internal structures, the similarity of their chemical processes, and the evidence of common ancestry.

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