Coleoptera

[koh-lee-op-ter-uh, kol-ee-]

noun

1. the order comprising the beetles.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Coleoptera¹

1755–65; < New Latin < Greek koleóptera, neuter plural of koleópteros sheath-winged, equivalent to koleo- (combining form representing koleón sheath, scabbard; -o- ) + -pteros -pterous; term used by Aristotle in describing beetles

Example Sentences

Across North America, there are an estimated 170 fireflies species, which are technically beetles in the order Coleoptera, but inventorying them is a challenge.

Read more on Salon

The phrase “they come in all shapes and sizes” could have been coined just for the Coleoptera — the beetles.

Read more on The Guardian

And the order Coleoptera couldn’t ask for a better Boswell than Durin.

Read more on New York Times

The Coleoptera order, where beetles reside, has more species than any other order: it takes an encyclopedic knowledge to know beetles well.

Read more on New York Times

The earwigs, cockroaches and locusts, which Linnaeus included among the Coleoptera, were early grouped into a distinct order, the Orthoptera.

Read more on Project Gutenberg