Kuoriainen

Kuoriainen is a Finnish word that translates to "beetle" in English. It refers to insects belonging to the order Coleoptera, which is one of the largest and most diverse orders of animals in the world. Beetles are characterized by their hardened forewings, called elytra, which protect their membranous hindwings. This protective covering is a defining feature of the beetle.

There are hundreds of thousands of described species of beetles, found in virtually every terrestrial and freshwater habitat on Earth. They vary greatly in size, shape, color, and lifestyle. Some common examples of beetles include ladybugs, scarab beetles, weevils, and stag beetles. Their diets are also diverse, with some species feeding on plants, others on decaying organic matter, and some on other insects.

Beetles play important ecological roles. Many are decomposers, breaking down dead wood and plant material, which helps recycle nutrients in ecosystems. Others are pollinators, while some can be considered pests in agriculture or forestry due to their feeding habits. The study of beetles is known as coleopterology. The term "kuoriainen" encompasses this entire fascinating group of insects within the Finnish language.