1. beetles; insects of the order Coleoptera, characterized by hard wing covers
Usage: scientific

Examples

• Coleopterans make up the largest order of insects in the animal kingdom.
• The museum’s entomology collection includes thousands of coleopterans from around the world.
• Many coleopterans are beneficial to gardens as they eat harmful pests.
• Scientists have identified over 400,000 species of coleopterans.
• The hard wing covers that protect coleopterans’ flight wings are called elytra.
• Some coleopterans, like ladybugs, are easily recognized by gardeners.