Hobbies And Interests
Beetle Characteristics
The primary distinguishing feature of a beetle is the presence of hard outer wings called elytra. The scientific name for the order comes from the Greek words koleon and pteron, meaning sheath and wing. These wings do not aid in flight. The beetle usually has to pull them out of the way when flying. The elytra cover the softer, inner wings and protect them from damage, especially if the beetle spends much time burrowing. Beetles also have chewing mouth parts.
Beetle Variety
Beetles are found all over the earth except in the oceans and at the poles. They exhibit a wide variety of appearances and behaviors. Many are herbivores, and some of them are considered pests, like the Japanese Beetle. Some are beneficial. The ladybug is a carnivorous beetle that eats garden pests like aphids. The dung beetle is a beneficial insect that helps to increase the fertility of the soil by burying manure in it. Other beetles eat fungus and there are a few varieties that do not eat at all during the adult stage.
Weevils
Weevils belong to one of the larger groups within Coleoptera. The distinguishing features of weevils are their jawed snout and their elbowed antennae. Many species of weevil have underdeveloped inner wings and cannot fly. Most are less than one-quarter inch long. Unlike many other beetles, all weevils are herbivorous.
Weevils as Pests
Because they are plant-eaters, many weevils are considered agricultural and household pests. The most well known is perhaps the boll weevil, which can cause hundreds of millions of dollars worth of damage to cotton crops each year. The adult lays eggs inside the cotton bud, and the larvae eat the seeds and surrounding fibers. Other weevils, such as the strawberry weevil, harm plants when their larvae eat the roots. Many weevils are seed-eaters, such as the Granary Weevil and the Rice Weevil. The adults chew on the outside layers of the seed or grain, then lay their eggs inside. The larvae finish devouring the seeds from within.