The book of beetles : a life-size guide to 600 of nature's gems / edited by Patrice Bouchard ; contributors, Patrice Bouchard, Yves Bousquet, Christopher Carlton, Maria Lourdes Chamorro, Hermes E. Escalona, Arthur V. Evans, Alexander Konstantinov, Richard A. B. Leschen, Stéphane Le Tirant, Steven W. Lingafelter.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 648-649) and index.

What is a beetle? --Beetle classification --Evolution and diversity --Communication, reproduction and development --Defense --Feeding behavior --Beetle conservation --Beetles and society --The beetles. Archostemata Myxophaga Adephaga Polyphaga --Appendices. Glossary Classification of the Coleoptera Index of species and families.

Beetles make up more than a quarter of the world's animals and come in a dazzling array of shapes, sizes, and colors that entice scientists and collectors across the globe. This book celebrates their beauty and diversity, covering six hundred significant beetle species. Each entry includes a population distribution map, essential information, listings of related species, and a description of the specimen's importance.