Beetles of the World

Princeton 2023, geb., 240 Seiten, 300 Farbfotos. Beetles make up about a quarter of known animal species and are arguably the most diverse group of organisms on Earth, almost 400,000 species have been formally described so far, and it is likely that this number merely scratches the surface. This book celebrates these remarkable creatures in all their variety, from their size and appearance to their ecological importance. Providing concise accounts of all the major families and subfamilies of Coleoptera, this book explores beetle anatomy, life cycle, fossil history, feeding habits, role in the food web, habitats, relationship with humans, and classification—as well as the essential part that beetles play in the global ecosystem, and the ways hu-mans can help protect them.