An order of insects having the anterior pair of wings (elytra) hard and horny, and serving as coverings for the posterior pair, which are membranous, and folded transversely under the others when not in use. The mouth parts form two pairs of jaws (mandibles and maxillæ) adapted for chewing. Most of the Coleoptera are known as beetles and weevils.

an order of insects comprised of the beetles

The order made up of beetles. Coleoptera means "sheath wing;" beetles' front wings partially cover up their hindwings.

Beetles, an order of Insects, having a biting mouth and the first pair of wings more or less horny, forming sheaths for the second pair, and usually meeting in a straight line down the middle of the back.

Insect order that includes beetles and weevils, which damage plants mainly by chewing plant parts. Examples of economically-important species: Colorado potato beetle, alfalfa weevil, boll weevil, bean weevil, cucumber beetle. The lady bird beetle (lady bug) is an important biological control organism for aphid infestations, particularly in greenhouses.