1. Beetles vs true bugs

2. Beetles vs. True Bugs True bugs Beetles Number of Species 80,000
350,000
2 out of 5 known insect species are beetles!
Metamorphosis type
Incomplete (three stage)
Complete (4 stage)
Wings (most easily visible difference)
May not have wings (aphids). If they do have wings the front is top is partially hard and the bottom is transparent so they look like they have half wings.
Beetles have elytra
Hard leathery forewings that they lift out of the way to fly
Top of wings
V-shape
elytra form straight line
Mouths
“True bugs suck”
They have a proboscis, if their food isn’t liquidy they insert a chemical that dissolves it so they can suck it up.
Have chewing mouths. Can chew through most anything

3. Metamorphosis Complete Incomplete Beetles have complete metamorphosis
True bugs have simple/ incomplete metamorphosis

4. Piercing sucking mouth
Incomplete metamorphosis
Two pair wings, top pair partially hardened near base
Triangular area on top
Do not always have wings

5. True bugs without wings include aphids which are often found on milkweed

6. Complete metamorphosis
Top pair of wing are hardened and called Elytra, under wings are for flight
Chewing mouths
Complete metamorphosis
Elytra

7. True bug wings vs. beetle wings

8. True bugs wings have a “V”

9. Beetles elytra and hind wings

10. True bug mouths
Have ability to pierce their food and then dissolve with a chemical if needed so they can then suck up the food in a straw – like proboscis.

11. Beetle mouths have chewing parts

12. Milkweed bugs vs. lady beetles

13. videos
Beetles flying
ladybug in super slo mo (start at second 20)

14. Optional video
Rhinoceros beetles fighting