Beetles (Coleoptera) in our backyard

-from the Greek: coleos=sheath + ptera=wings
-distinctive front wings called elytra, which are usually hard
-most can fly
-chewing mouthparts
-complete metamorphosis
-largest order with 300,000+ species
-common families = scarab, leaf, lady, and ground beetles

copper beetle: super family Buprestid (metallic wood-boring beetles) dicerca lurida. This may look like an ordinary nondescript beetle, but when you shine a light, it is a urprising luminous metallic copper-colour on its back, legs and antennae. He was discovered by Dad in an apple tree.
japanese beetle (popillia japonica): Found by mom on the roses!
lightening bug