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You might guess that a
ladybug is a true bug.
But it’s not. It's a beetle.
And it isn’t alone. One-
third of all the insects alive
today are beetles. So far,
scientists have named more
than 350,000 kinds, or
species
, of beetles. And
there are millions more left
to discover.
Why are there so many
beetles on Earth? Because they can live almost anywhere—
from snowy mountaintops to hot, dry deserts. Some beetles live
in fast-flowing streams. Others spend all their time
underground.
A beetle has two pairs of wings. A heavy, armored
exoskeleton protects it from enemies. Powerful mouthparts
grab, bite, and chew all kinds of food—from leaves and seeds to
dead animals and rotting
dung
. Eew! Gross!
ladybug
Beetles
