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Beetles
are insects in the order Coleoptera. This is the
largest order of insects with over 250,000
described species. There are about 1,400 native
Hawaiian species of beetles and over 600
introduced species. Beetles vary greatly in
size, description, and habitat. They can be
found in the ground , in the water, in trees,
and on plants.
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Most
beetles have 4 wings. The first pair is hard and
covers and protects the back wings when they are
not being used. The back wings are the only ones
used for flight. Beetles have 6 legs, 2
antennae, and chewing mouth parts. Beetles
undergo complete metamorphosis. They hatch from
eggs as a larva, then go through a pupal stage
and come out as an adult.
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Beetles
feed on all sorts of plant and animal materials.
They may eat leaves, roots, flowers, fruits,
algae, fungi, nuts, other insects, human food,
or clothing products. Beetles of various unknown
species have been observed in Hamakua Marsh. It
is not known exactly how many species might be
found there or which particular species are
favorites of the Ae'o and the Alae'ula, both of
which are known to eat beetles.
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