About 135 families of beetles are known, of which 120 occur in the Western Hemisphere. There have been a number of differ.... wide species;
(beetles, weevils) Largest insect order; more than 250,000 species; size range from less than 1 mm to more than 12 cm (5 in.); modified front wings, called elytra, usually meet in a straight line down the middle of the back, covering membranous hind wings; hind wings usually longer than front wings, folded under front wings when at rest; mouthparts adapted for chewing; form of antennae variable; large compound eyes; hard outer skeleton; complete metamorphosis; found in almost all types of habitats; many plant feeders; many species of economic importance, either cause damage or benefit man; worldwide distribution. Small and little-known; found under bark; about 20 species widely distributed. Small, dark, shiny; found in decaying organic matter; predatory on small insects; about 2,500 species; wide distribution; examples: Hister, Niponius . (carrion beetles, burying beetles) Relatively large, bright-coloured; usually feed on carrion; some predatory, some plant feeders; example! s: Silpha, Nicrophorus ; about 230 species; widely distributed. Under stones, logs; in ant nests; very small, hairy; widely distributed; about 1,200 species; example: Scydmaenus . Short elytra; size variable; active; strong mandibles; in ant nests, predatory on other insects in decaying matter; about 20,000 species; widely distributed; examples: Stenus, Dinarda . Very small; diverse in form; live in ant nests; about 3,500 species; worldwide distribution but most abundant in tropics; example: Claviger . (stag beetles, pinching bugs) Large; variable in size; males with enormous mandibles (jaws); about 900 species; widely distributed; example: Lucanus . About 150 widely distributed species; example: Trox ; dung or carrion feeders. Large; about 300 species; widely distributed; habits variable; examples: Lethrus, Geotrupes . (scarab beetles, June beetles, tumblebugs, leaf-chafers) Variable in colour, size, habits; most feed on dung, carrion, other decaying matter; about 20,000 s! pecies; widely distributed; examples: Cetonia, Melolontha . Ab! out 25 widely distributed species; in rotten wood; example: Eucinetus . Small, oval; on vegetation in swampy places; aquatic larvae; about 350 species; widely distributed; example: Scirtes . Small, oval; found under debris, in sand, at grass roots; about 270 species; widely distributed; example: Byrrhus . About 500 widely distributed species; example: Heterocerus . Antennae flabellate (fanlike); noselike projection between mandibles; about 180 species; widely distributed; 2 families, Rhipiceridae (cedar beetles), Callirhipidae; example: Sandalus . About 7,000 species; widely distributed; can leap when lying on back; adults, plant feeders; larvae sometimes damage plants; examples: Pyrophorus, Agriotes, Athous Small, oblong; about 200 species; widely distributed. (lightning bugs, fireflies) Produce light in species-characteristic flashing rhythm; wingless females and most larvae called glowworms; about 1,000 species; widely distributed; examples: Lampyris, Photinus . Soft-bod! ied, predatory; about 3,500 species; widely distributed; examples: Cantharis, Rhagonycha . (skin beetles, dermestid beetles) Many economically important species; mostly scavengers on plant and animal products; small to moderate-sized; hairy or with scales; examples: Dermestes, Anthrenus ; widely distributed. Live in dry vegetable materials; some species destructive pests; examples: Xestobium, Stegobium, Lasioderma ; about 1,100 widely distributed species. About 4,000 species widely distributed; diverse; example: Malachius . Larvae develop in certain flower heads ( e.g., goldenrod), about 500 species; widely distributed; example: Olibrus . (ladybird beetles, ladybugs) Many predatory on aphids and coccids, a few serious plant pests ( Epilachna ); mostly beneficial; about 5,000 species, usually bright-coloured, spotted; widely distributed; another genus, Rodolia . Varied group; mostly plant scavengers; examples: Eleodes, Tenebrio ; about 10,000 species; widely distributed. Wid! ely distributed; umerous species; examples: Othnius, Eurystethus . spec! ies but widely distributed; examples: Salpingus, Lissodema . Few species widely distributed in Eurasia and America; example: Pytho . About 200 species widely distributed; associated with rotten wood, fungi; example: Scraptia . (blister beetles, oil beetles) Body fluids contain cantharadin, sometimes used as a drug ( Lytta ); several important plant pests ( Epicauta ); many larvae beneficial, feed on grasshopper eggs; hypermetamorphic; complicated life cycle; about 2,000 species; widely distributed. Adults usually on flowers or foliage; larvae in moist decaying wood; about 600 species; widely distributed, but especially abundant in temperate regions; example: Nacerdes . (long-horned, wood-boring beetles) Some large in size; plant feeders; many brightly coloured; larval stage usually wood-boring, sometimes cause tree damage; about 25,000 species; worldwide distribution; examples: Macrotoma, Titanus, Clytus, Monochamus . Closely related to Cerambycidae; larvae usually plant fe! eders; many serious pest species; overwinter as adults; more than 26,000 species; widely distributed. (seed beetles, pea weevils) Most larvae live in leguminous seeds; examples: Acanthoscelides, Bruchus ; damage stored seeds; about 900 species; widely distributed. About 200 species; Proterrhinus found in Pacific region; one Aglycyderes species in Canary Islands. About 30,000 species, many with scales; many injurious species; worldwide distribution; Anthonomus (cotton boll weevil, apple blossom weevil); Calandra (granary weevil, rice weevil); Sitona species pests of leguminous crops.
wide species;
The classification and sequence of families given here is essentially that proposed in 1971 by American or.... wing cm
Characteristically slender arboreal birds, olive brown to rufous, usually streaked or barred; 14.5 to 37 cm (5 to 15 in.). Strong probing bills, laterally compressed, short and straight to long and downcurved; nares holorhinal (see Furnariidae). If such diversity can be summarized, ovenbirds are generally small, dull brown birds, darker above and paler below; 12 to 28 cm (about 5 to 11 in.). Overall size range 9.5 to 37 cm (less than 4 to nearly 15 in.), including several large terrestrial species with long legs but very short tails (hence a deceptively short body length). Wings generally short and rounded, flight weak; about 231 species, largely in dense forests and brushland. Most piprids are fairly uniform in external appearance; generally small (8.5 to 16 cm [3 in.]), rather stubby, with short wings and tail (a few long-tailed species). Differences include a long, straight, and sharply pointed bill, surrounded at the base with short, fine, stiff feathers (not rictal bris! tles). A small family of finchlike birds, gray or brown streaked with black, with areas of rusty red; about 17 cm (7 in.) long. Wings short and rounded but strong; tail very short. The 3 extant species are very weak flyers, with short wings and very short tails. The two species of asities ( Philepitta ) are black or yellowish green, rather pitta-like, with stout bodies and long legs. The two false sunbirds ( Neodrepanis ) are very different externally, looking much like true sunbirds (Nectariniidae), with which they were long classified; small, blue, yellow, and greenish with short tails and long, slender, curved bills. The alula (free digit on the leading edge of the wing) on the short rounded wings has 6 feathers rather than the usual 3 or 4. Both species virtually flightless, with very small wings and clavicles small and separated (not fused into a furcula, wishbone), a condition unique within passerines. Small ground birds, 12 to 23 cm (about 5 to 9 in.), usually crypti! cally coloured in browns and grayish buffs, plain or streaked,! lighter below (several species black below); sexes similar. Bill usually pointed, slightly downcurved; wings long, pointed; legs rather long, hind toe usually with long, straight claw. Small birds, 9.5 to 23 cm (about 4 to 9 in.), with compact plumage, often with metallic sheen, usually lighter below; sexes usually alike or nearly so. ( Small to medium-sized birds, 18 to 63.5 cm (7 to 25 in.), the longest being those with exceptionally long tails; usually black with purple or greenish sheen, some crested or with spangled neck and head feathers, iris of eye usually red; sexes alike. Bill stout, arched, slightly hooked and notched; long, strong rictal bristles; legs short, feet stout. Wings long; tail variable, of 10 or 12 feathers, usually forked; some species with racquet tails. (forest orioles, fig-birds) Medium-sized birds, 18 to 30.5 cm (7 to 12 in.); brightly coloured, predominantly in yellows, greens, and black; sexes unlike, female duller, young streaked below. Bill ! strong, pointed, slightly hooked; long, pointed wings with 10 primaries; medium to long tail of 12 feathers. Crows ( Corvus ) and allies, large, black or black and gray or white; wings long, tail shorter than wing. Medium-sized, 25.5 to 53.5 cm (10 to 21 in.); black, brown, or blue-gray, with fleshy blue or orange wattles at the gape; sexes may differ in size, wattles, and bill shape. Sternum weak; 10-primaried wings short, rounded; tail long. Bill stout and short to long and curved; legs long, feet stout. Legs long, strong; wings long and pointed to short and rounded. Wings long, pointed; legs strong, medium to long. Small to medium-sized, 10-primaried, 14 to 117 cm (about 5 to 46 in.), greatest length due to streaming tail feathers; greatly varied colours, most males with spectacular plumes on head, flanks, wings, or tail; some with wattles or bare skin on the head; females plain browns or grays. Wings rounded; legs short; feet rather stout. Ten-primaried oscines with sho! rt to medium, rounded wings; tail short to long; bill rather stout, poi! nted, shorter than remainder of head; nonoperculate nostrils concealed by thick feathers. Small birds, 7.5 to 20 cm (3 to 8 in.), with thick plumage usually strongly patterned in grays, yellows, brown, black, or white, never streaked, barred, or spotted; sexes usually alike. ( Small, slender, climbing birds, 9.5 to 19 cm (3 in.), with curved bills as long as or longer than rest of head; operculate nostrils free of bristles or feathers; rictal bristles absent. Legs short, thin, outer toe always shorter than middle toe but much longer than inner toe; claws long, hind claw as long as or longer than hind toe; wings rounded or pointed; tail feathers long, stiff, with pointed tips. Small, stocky, climbing birds, 9.5 to 19 cm (3 in.), with thin, pointed, usually straight bills; rounded, nonoperculate nostrils partly concealed by feathers; short rictal bristles present; tarsus short; long, laterally compressed claws on large toes, hallux equal to outer toe, inner toe reaching only ! to second joint of middle toe; wings rather long, pointed; tail short, square, soft. Six species of small, creeper-like climbing birds, 12.5 to 17.5 cm (5 to 7 in.); of uncertain ancestry and affinities. Legs short; toes long, claws long, curved, strong, especially that of hallux; tail rounded, soft; bill long, somewhat downcurved. (bearded tits, parrotbills) Small, titmouse-like birds, 10 to 17.5 cm (4 to 7 in.), distinguished (with one exception, the bearded tit, Panurus biarmicus ) from all other oscines by the strongly compressed bill, much shorter than head, markedly curved convexly, both tomia (cutting edges) sinuated; nostrils concealed by feathers; wings short, rounded; tail rather long, graduated. Small bird about 16.5 cm (6 in.) long, with thick fluffy plumage; plain brown above, lighter and streaked below. Bill short, rounded, pointed, slightly downcurved; nostrils exposed, operculate; rictal bristles distinct; wings short, rounded; tail long, graduated; sexes al! ike. Wings short, rounded, fit close to body; legs rather large, strong! . About 70 species of small- to medium-sized, forest-living birds, 12.5 to 35.5 cm (5 to 14 in.). Rather stout, slightly downcurved bill, notched, hooked at tip; nostrils partly concealed by short bristles; wings medium, pointed; long tail rounded or graduated; legs short, feet weak to strong. ( Medium-sized birds, 14 to 28 cm (5 to 11 in.), with soft, fluffy plumage, especially soft on lower back and rump; many species with hairlike, vaneless feathers on nape of neck. Bill usually slender, slightly downcurved; rictal bristles well developed; feet and legs rather small; wings short; tail medium to long. (leafbirds, ioras, Small to medium birds, 13 to 25 cm (5 to 10 in.); bill fairly long, slightly downcurved or hooked; legs short; wings rounded; tail square to rounded. Like bulbuls, some have hairlike feathers on nape and long fluffy rump feathers but are more brightly coloured, brown or black with contrasting yellow, green, or blue; sexes usually dissimilar. The only large! ly aquatic oscines; small, 14 to 19 cm (5 in.), birds with plump bodies, short concave wings, short, square or rounded tail. Small, 9.5 to 22 cm (3 in.), chunky birds, mostly brown, usually barred, spotted, or streaked, with white, black, or browns; sexes alike. Wings short, rounded, well-developed 10th (outermost) primary, at least half as long as 9th; tail short, square to rounded, often carried cocked up. ( , catbirds, thrashers) Slender, medium-sized, 20 to about 30 cm (8 to 12 in.); bill medium to long, nearly straight to strongly downcurved; nostrils always exposed, with overhanging membrane; rictal bristles present, but few and somewhat weak. Wings short, rounded; tail long. Coloured brown, gray, black, bluish, underparts usually pale, often white, spotted, or streaked, some solidly coloured, some with white in wings or tail; sexes alike. (thrushes, bluebirds, nightingales, wheatears, , chats) A large, almost cosmopolitan group of about 305 species of small- to mediu! m-sized birds, 11.5 to 33 cm (4 to 13 in.). Bill rather slender; legs a! nd feet fairly stout, tarsus usually booted (smooth sheath, not divided into scales); 10-primaried wing rounded to pointed; tail medium, truncate or graduated, forked in a few. (Old World warblers, kinglets) Typically small, 9 to 26 cm (3 to 10 in.), with slender bill; longitudinal nostrils with an operculum; medium rounded wings of 10 primaries; short to medium legs. (gnatcatchers, gnatwrens) Dainty, slender, tiny, 10 to 14 cm (4 to 5 in.), with long, thin, pointed bills, operculate nostrils partly exposed, and rictal bristles. Rounded wing with 10th primary much less than half as long as 9th; long, rounded tail constantly moving. (whistlers, shrike-thrushes, thickheads) Small- to medium-sized, stout-bodied, 13 to 28 cm (5 to 11 in.); roundish heads, rather heavy bill sometimes hooked at the tip. Wings rather long, pointed, with very short 10th primary; tail medium long, usually rounded. (wren-warblers, emu-wrens) Small-bodied birds, 7.5 to 25 cm (3 to 10 in.), that carry ! the long tail cocked up over the back. Bill small, weak; wings short, rounded; legs and feet medium. A large (about 340 species) family of small insectivores, 7.5 to 22.5 cm (3 to 9 in.); the paradise flycatchers ( Terpsiphone ) with long tails, to 53.5 cm (21 in.). Wings short and rounded to long and pointed; tail short and narrow to long and fanned or with long central plumes. (accentors, hedge sparrows) Small, drab, 12.5 to 17.5 cm (5 to 7 in.); slender, pointed bills, wide at base, culmen (ridge of upper bill) slightly rounded. Wings rounded to pointed with very short 10th primary; tail shorter than wing, square or emarginate. Bill thin, pointed; legs long, slim, with elongated hind toe and hind claw (with some exceptions); tail usually edged with white or yellow. Long, pointed wing with rudimentary 10th primary; square to slightly rounded, short tail. Wings and legs rather short; 10th primary well developed; tail long. Wings rounded, 10th primary less than half as long! as 9th; tail longish; legs and toes stout. Medium-sized, 17.5 cm (7 in! .); short, broad bill, moderately curved culmen, operculate nostrils; nasal bristles lacking and rictal bristles poorly developed. Soft plumage blue-gray above, lighter below, with black facial, wing, and tail markings, white wing tips, slightly crested; sexes alike. Bill stout; broad at base, moderately long, decurved, pointed; legs short; feet strong. Wings long, pointed; tail short, nearly square. Bill stout, heavy, hooked, notched; with enlarged ridge in one, thin, downcurved in another; legs and feet strong; wings fairly long, rounded; tail square or rounded, moderately long. Rather small- to medium-sized, 15 to 36 cm (6 to 14 in.); 10-primaried, with proportionately large heads; stout, strong, sometimes toothed, sharply hooked bills; strong legs with sharp claws; tarsus scutellate anteriorly, lamellate (plated) laterally; wings medium; tail usually long, narrow. Essentially Old World, 64 species across temperate Eurasia, Africa, east to Philippines, and south to New G! uinea and Timor; 2 species in North America to southern Mexico; usually solitary birds, in open forests, clearings, brushlands, cultivated areas. Bill stout, hooked; legs short, strong; wings and tail medium to long. Small- to medium-sized, 10 to 40 cm (4 to 16 in.); long, protractile, brush-tipped tongue curled at the sides to form a tube. Wings long, pointed, 10th primary about half the length of 9th; tail medium to long. Wings rounded, short, 10th primary variable in length but always present; tail square, medium to long, pointed, sometimes with elongated central feathers. (flower-peckers, pardalotes, diamond birds) Small chunky birds, 7.5 to 18 cm (3 to 7 in.), with short necks, legs, tails. Bill usually short, stout, relatively straight; slender and curved in a few, edges of distal (outer) 3rd serrated; distal half of short tongue deeply cleft, the edges curled into 2 slender semitubular tips. Wings short, rounded, 10th primary usually lacking; tail medium, square; leg! s and claws short, feet strong. Wings short, rounded, 10th primary half! length of 9th; tail medium; legs and feet strong. Wings short, rounded, 10th primary reduced to half length of 9th; tail short to medium; legs short, stout. (vireos, greenlets) Rather plainly coloured, small arboreal birds, 10 to 17.5 cm (4 to 7 in.), mostly brownish-gray to olive green above, yellow, grayish, or white below; plumage never streaked or spotted; some with light eye-rings, eye stripes, wing bars; sexes alike. Wings long, pointed to short, rounded, 10th primary very short or vestigial. Small forest birds, 11.5 to 22 cm (4 in.), limited to the Hawaiian Islands; 14 species living, 10 of them rare and local; 8 species are recently extinct. Bill extremely varied among species: short to long, thin to thick, straight to extremely downcurved, pointed to hooked, but never serrate or notched. Wings pointed, 10th primary vestigial or absent; tail medium, truncate or slightly forked; legs short to medium; feet strong. (wood warblers, bananaquits) Dainty, small, 10 to 18.! 5 cm (4 to 7 in.); pointed wings of 9 primaries, medium 12-feathered tail. The single species is small, 11.5 cm (4 in.), with 9 primaries. Bill weak and flattened vertically; legs long, feet large, strong; wings and tail short, rounded. Wings mostly long, pointed; tail short to rather long; legs and feet strong. Single tanager-like species, 15 cm (6 in.), differing from Thraupidae mainly in peculiar palate, expandable throat, and broad, flat, swallowlike bill; longer wings, shorter legs. Wings pointed, short to long; tail short to medium, truncate, emarginate, or rounded. Finchlike, 9 primaries, 15 cm (6 in.), with stubby, conical, slightly hooked bill and a distinctive patch of short, stiff, velvety tipped, orange-yellow feathers on the forecrown. Wings short, rounded; tail medium; legs stout, feet strong. Small, 9 primaries; 10 to 27 cm (4 to 11 in.), with short, stout, conical, pointed bills. Wings short, rounded to long, pointed; tail short to long, tarsus relatively lo! ng. (goldfinches, siskins, rosefinches, redpolls, crossbills, bullfinch! es, hawfinches, canaries) Small to medium-sized, 10 to 25 cm (4 to 10 in.), with short, stout to slender pointed bills (mandibles crossed in one genus); gonys less than half length of upper bill. (waxbills, some finches) Small, 7.5 to 15 cm (3 to 6 in.), bill stout, short, pointed; gonys less than half the length of upper bill. Wings rounded, short to pointed, medium length; 10th primary present but almost vestigial; tarsus relatively short. Small, stoutly built seedeaters, mostly 10 to 25 cm (4 to 10 in.), a few long-tailed species to 50 cm (males only). Short, stout, conical, pointed bills; gonys less than half length of upper bill; rictal bristles lacking; tarsus relatively short. Wings short to long, rounded to pointed, 10th primary present, much reduced; tail short to very long.
wing cm
