Beetles, order Coleoptera, are the world’s most diverse order of insects: about 400 000 species have been described and there are perhaps a million more awaiting discovery and description. In South Africa alone there are likely 10 000 to 20 000 species. The species listed and illustrated here scratch the surface of the beetle fauna to be found in the Waterberg but by showing what’s available may prompt more people to photograph and submit more records of these ecologically vital creatures.

For a quick overview of the largest families, Carabidae, Cerambycidae, Chrysomelidae, Scarabaeidae,  Tenebrionidae,  Other families you can see a composite of each by clicking on the required family name.