Experts offer the most sweeping reference available on the subject of North American beetles. Their rigorous standards for the presentation of data create a concise, useful format that is consistent throughout the book. This is the resource of choice for quick, accurate, and easily accessible information. Covers more species of North American beetles than any other previous publication; Most families have a worldwide distribution; Presents all data in the same, easy-to-follow format with illustrations throughout; Provides general features for spot identification and a partial description of the family as a whole for checking identifications; Describes each family, with separate paragraphs for head, thorax, abdomen, genitalia, eggs, larvae, and pupae; Contains chapters written by acknowledged specialists in the field; Includes a section of 16 full-color photographs. - Publisher.