Mouthparts are chewing type. Mandibles are short with blunt teeth at the mesal face in
phytophagous group. In predators the mandibles are long, sharply pointed with blade like
inner ridge. In pollen feeders teeth are absent and the mandibles are covered with stiff
hairs.
Prothorax is large, distinct and mobile.
Mesothorax and metathorax are fused with the first abdominal segment.
Forewings are heavily sclerotised, veinless and hardened. They are called elytra.
Forewings do not overlap and meet mid-dorsally to form a mid-dorsal line. It is not used
for flight. They serve as a pair of convex shields to cover the hindwings and delicate
tergites of abdomen.
Hindwings are membranous with few veins and are useful in flight. At rest they are folded
transversely and kept beneath the elytra. In some weevils and ground beetles the
forewings are fused and hindwings are atrophied.
A small part of the mesothorax known as scutellum remains exposed as a little triangle
between the bases of elytra.
Cerci and a distinct ovipositor are absent.
Metamorphosis is complete. Larva are often called grubs.
Insect Morphology and Systematics
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Pupae are usually exarate and rarely found in cocoons.