<P> Beetles are a group of insects that form the order Coleoptera , in the superorder Endopterygota . Their front pair of wings is hardened into wing - cases , elytra , distinguishing them from most other insects . The Coleoptera , with about 400,000 species , is the largest of all orders , constituting almost 40 % of described insects and 25 % of all known animal life - forms ; new species are discovered frequently . The largest of all families , the Curculionidae ( weevils ) with some 70,000 member species , belongs to this order . They are found in almost every habitat except the sea and the polar regions . They interact with their ecosystems in several ways : beetles often feed on plants and fungi , break down animal and plant debris , and eat other invertebrates . Some species are serious agricultural pests , such as the Colorado potato beetle , while others such as Coccinellidae ( ladybirds or ladybugs ) eat aphids , scale insects , thrips , and other plant - sucking insects that damage crops . </P>
<P> Beetles are a group of insects that form the order Coleoptera , in the superorder Endopterygota . Their front pair of wings is hardened into wing - cases , elytra , distinguishing them from most other insects . The Coleoptera , with about 400,000 species , is the largest of all orders , constituting almost 40 % of described insects and 25 % of all known animal life - forms ; new species are discovered frequently . The largest of all families , the Curculionidae ( weevils ) with some 70,000 member species , belongs to this order . They are found in almost every habitat except the sea and the polar regions . They interact with their ecosystems in several ways : beetles often feed on plants and fungi , break down animal and plant debris , and eat other invertebrates . Some species are serious agricultural pests , such as the Colorado potato beetle , while others such as Coccinellidae ( ladybirds or ladybugs ) eat aphids , scale insects , thrips , and other plant - sucking insects that damage crops . </P>
how many species have been named in the order coleoptera
how many species have been named in the order coleoptera
400,000
400,000