Beetles are like all insects, they have a head, thorax, and abdomen, and six legs. Their bodies tend to be very solid and tough. They have chewing mouthparts and often have powerful jaws. Adult beetles have modified wings: the first pair of wings is small and very hard, and acts as a protective covering for the second pair of wings. Many beetles can fly with their second pair of wings. Most adult beetles are brown or black, but some are very brightly colored. Beetle larvae look sort of like worms, but they have six legs and a hard head. Beetle pupa can't move and are covered with a leathery skin.

Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry ; polymorphic ; poisonous

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike; female larger; male larger; sexes colored or patterned differently; sexes shaped differently; ornamentation