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A beetle is an insect in the order ''Coleoptera'' (the largest order in the animal kingdom). This order is characterized by forewings that are modified into hardened covers over a second pair of functional wings.  

A beetle is an [[insect]] in the order ''Coleoptera'' (the largest order in the animal kingdom). This order is characterized by forewings that are modified into hardened covers over a second pair of functional wings.  

Beetles can be found in nearly all environments except conditions of extreme cold such as Antarctica and at great heights. There are fewer beetle species in temperate zones than in the tropics. Beetle sizes range from less than 0.04 inches (1 mm) long to over 8 inches (20 cm).  

Beetles can be found in nearly all environments except conditions of extreme cold such as [[Antarctica]] and at great heights. There are fewer beetle species in temperate zones than in the tropics. Beetle sizes range from less than 0.04 inches (1 mm) long to over 8 inches (20 cm).  

Beetles can be helpful or destructive to man. Without dung beetles, some parts of the world would be buried in animal excrement. Beetles help to break down decayed matter. Some beetles are predators of insect pests. Some are destructive of crops and timber. Predators of beetles include other insects, bats, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Beetles can be helpful or destructive to man. Without dung beetles, some parts of the world would be buried in animal excrement. Beetles help to break down decayed matter. Some beetles are predators of insect pests. Some are destructive of crops and timber. Predators of beetles include other insects, bats, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Over half of all described species are insects. Of these, approximately 300,000 are beetles. This led biologist J. B. S. Haldane to remark that God has "an inordinate fondness for beetles."  

Over half of all described species are insects. Of these, approximately 300,000 are beetles. This led biologist J. B. S. Haldane to remark that God has "an inordinate fondness for beetles."  

However, there is only one reference to beetles in the King James Bible, in Genesis 11:21:  

However, there is only one reference to beetles in the King James [[Bible]], in [[Genesis]] 11:21:  

''Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth; 11:22 Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the '''beetle''' after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind.''

''Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth; 11:22 Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the '''beetle''' after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind.''