They fold down over the abdomen and serve as protective covers for the large, membranous hind wings. During flight, the elytra are held out to the sides of the body where they provide a certain amount of aerodynamic stability. This is the largest order of insects. A few species are pests of wood and wood products.
Some species are forestry pests.
In some species, the females are wingless and larviform. Ancient Egyptians believed that a scarab beetle rolled the sun across the sky each day. The scarab icon became associated with Ra, the sun god, and scarab beetles, Scarabaeus sacer , were worshiped as a symbol of immortality. They gain entrance to the nest by mimicking the odor and behavior of the ants. Bombardier beetles, Brachinus spp.