Blister beetle A slender beetle that is often brightly coloured to warn predators it is toxic. To defend itself, it secretes a fluid that can blister human skin.

Carrion beetle A flat-bodied beetle that feeds on carrion. It also lays its eggs beneath carrion so its larvae can feed on it.

Click beetle A beetle that can flip itself into the air to escape predators. It does this by arching its back in such a way that a spine catches on its abdomen, catapulting it into the air and making a loud clicking sound.

Cockchafer A large beetle that spreads its feathery antennae as it flies. This helps the cockchafer to detect the scent of food or a mate.

Darkling beetle A dark beetle that feeds mostly on dead plant or animal matter. The larvae of darkling beetles are known as mealworms.

Dermestid beetle A small scavenging beetle. Its larvae feed on tough animal hair and skin—they will even eat carpets.

Dung beetle A scarab beetle that moulds animal dung into balls, in which it lays its eggs. When the larvae hatch they will be protected inside the ball and feed on the dung and the bacteria growing inside it.

Elytra The hard front wings of a beetle, which form a case over its back wings. In some species the elytra are fused together.

Feather-winged beetle The smallest beetle in the world, growing to between 0.5 and 2 millimetres (0.02–0.1 inches) long. It has feather-tipped wings, which help it to fly as well as float on water, where it feeds on moulds and fungi.

Firefly A beetle that can produce light, generated by chemical reactions inside its abdomen. Flashes of light are used to attract a mate. Most species of fireflies live in warm, wet regions. Wingless females and larvae are sometimes called glow-worms.

Goliath beetle A scarab beetle that grows up to 11 centimetres (4.3 inches) long and can weigh as much as a rat. It lives in the tropical forests of Africa, flying through the treetops in search of fruit to eat. At night, it crawls under leaves to hide from predators.

Ground beetle A beetle with long, thin legs and a shiny body. Ground beetles are mostly carnivorous, running quickly after their prey. The ground beetle family includes tiger beetles, nest beetles and bombardier beetles.

Hercules beetle A huge rhinoceros beetle, that grows up to 17 centimetres (6.7 inches) long. About half its length is made up of its huge horns, which are used to fight other males over mates. The fight ends when one beetle throws the other on to its back.

Ladybird A small, round beetle with a red or yellow body and black spots. When threatened, it oozes a smelly substance from its leg-joints. Ladybirds feed on plant-eating insects such as aphids or scales.

Leaf beetle A small, brightly coloured beetle that feeds on plant leaves. Its antennae are half the length of its body.

Longhorn beetle A brightly coloured wood-boring beetle with antennae as long as its body. These help it to locate plants as well as mates.

Rhinoceros beetle A large, tropical scarab beetle. Males have a horn-like structure at the front of their heads, used to fight off rivals. They only eat plants.

Rove beetle One of a family of carnivorous or scavenging beetles with a small, slim body and short elytra. Many are known for their ability to mimic other creatures. For example, the devil's coach horse beetle can, when threatened, raise the back of its abdomen to make it look like a scorpion.

Scarab beetle A broad, oval beetle with clubbed antennae and thick legs. Many species have bright, metallic colouring. Scarab beetles include the rhinoceros, dung, goliath, stag and chafer beetles.

Soldier beetle A slim beetle that lives near flowers, feeding on other insects as well as some pollen. Some species have colourful markings.

Stag beetle A large, dark, scarab beetle. Males have massive, horn-like jaws, used to fight over territory or mates. Some species of stag beetles grow up to 12 centimetres (5 inches) long.

Tiger beetle A fierce, brightly coloured ground beetle. Its larvae hide in burrows, seizing passing insects to eat. Adults chase and catch their prey in the open. They have powerful jaws and are among the fastest insects, both running and in flight.

Water beetle A freshwater beetle with an oval body and powerful back legs. When it dives, it carries a bubble of air under its elytra to breathe underwater. Water beetles feed on insects, tadpoles and small fish. Species include the water scavengers and diving beetles. Their fierce, predatory larvae are known as water tigers.

Weevil A small, plant-eating beetle with a long snout. Most weevils are wingless and lay their eggs inside plants. Species such as the rive, boll and grain weevil are very destructive to crops.

Whirligig beetle An oval-shaped beetle that lives on the surface of ponds or rivers, feeding on insects that fall into the water. Its eyes are divided, enabling it to see above and below the water’s surface at the same time.

Wood-boring beetle A beetle that eats wood, damaging living trees or furniture. Its larvae are called woodworms. Wood-boring beetles include the death watch beetle, bark beetle and longhorn beetle.

Consultant: Chris Jarvis