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Beetles

Order Coleoptera

1299 species

The largest order of insects, comprising about 25% of all known animal species. Beetles are found in nearly every habitat and are distinguished by their hardened forewings called elytra.

Species in this Order

Carabidae Endangered

Coral Pink Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle

Cicindela albissima

A nearly white tiger beetle perfectly camouflaged against the pink-white sand dunes of its sole habi...

11-13 mm
Chrysomelidae

Corn Flea Beetle

Chaetocnema pulicaria

A very small, shiny black to bronze flea beetle with a compact, oval body. It vectors Stewart's wilt...

1.5-2 mm
Buprestidae Data Deficient

Coronated Jewel Beetle

Stigmodera coronata

A recently described jewel beetle from southwestern Western Australia with striking metallic colors....

15-25 mm
Lucanidae Near Threatened

Corsican Stag Beetle

Lucanus tetraodon

A large stag beetle found in Corsica, Sardinia, and parts of Italy. Males have impressive mandibles ...

30-50 mm
Lampyridae

Costa Rican Firefly

Aspisoma ignitum

A neotropical firefly with a dark body and reddish pronotum bearing a median dark stripe. It produce...

8-12 mm
Cerambycidae

Cottonwood Borer

Plectrodera scalator

A large longhorn beetle with bold black and white patterning and long antennae. Its larvae bore into...

25-40 mm
Chrysomelidae

Cottonwood Leaf Beetle

Chrysomela scripta

A variable beetle with pale yellow elytra marked with dark elongated spots and streaks. It is a comm...

6-9 mm
Lucanidae

Cottonwood Stag Beetle

Lucanus mazama

A medium-sized North American stag beetle found near river bottoms. Males have moderately large mand...

22-35 mm
Chrysomelidae

Cowpea Weevil

Callosobruchus maculatus

A small, reddish-brown to dark beetle with mottled elytra and a prominent pygidium bearing two dark ...

2-4 mm
Haliplidae

Crawling Water Beetle

Haliplus ruficollis

A tiny, oval water beetle with a yellowish body covered in rows of dark punctures. Unlike diving bee...

2-3 mm
Coccinellidae

Cream-Streaked Ladybird

Harmonia quadripunctata

A European ladybird associated primarily with conifer trees. It has cream or pale yellow elytra with...

5-7 mm
Carabidae

Creek Pacer Ground Beetle

Chlaenius tricolor

A handsome ground beetle with bright metallic green elytra, a bluish pronotum, and reddish-brown leg...

10-14 mm
Cicindelidae Endangered

Crimson Saltflat Tiger Beetle

Cicindela theatina

A rare tiger beetle endemic to the salt flats of southern Colorado. It has a distinctive dark reddis...

11-13 mm
Scarabaeidae Critically Endangered

Cromwell Chafer Beetle

Prodontria lewisii

A small chafer beetle endemic to a tiny area near Cromwell in Central Otago, New Zealand. Adults are...

1-1.5 cm
Chrysomelidae Not Evaluated

Crucifer Flea Beetle

Phyllotreta cruciferae

A shiny black jumping beetle that causes shothole damage on canola and mustard seedlings. It is one ...

2-3 mm
Elateridae Not Evaluated

Cuban Green Anole Click Beetle

Alaus myops

A large click beetle found in Cuba and the Caribbean with prominent false eyespots. It can launch it...

25-45 mm
Scarabaeidae Not Evaluated

Cuban Green June Beetle

Cotinis mutabilis

A large metallic green scarab beetle found in Cuba and the Caribbean. It is a clumsy but powerful fl...

20-33 mm
Histeridae

Cylindrical Bark Hister

Teretrius fabricii

A tiny, cylindrical hister beetle that lives under bark of dead trees. Its elongated shape allows it...

2-3 mm
Scarabaeidae

Daffodil Aphodius

Aphodius fossor

A large, entirely shiny black dweller dung beetle with a convex, robust body. Despite being classifi...

9-13 mm
Cerambycidae

Dahlia Longhorn

Agapanthia dahli

A medium-sized longhorn with dense olive-green pubescence and a prominent yellow dorsal stripe on th...

10-22 mm
Cerambycidae Not Evaluated

Daimyo Oak Longhorn

Mesosa myops

A mottled grey-brown longhorn beetle that blends perfectly with tree bark. Its larvae feed within th...

12-20 mm
Lucanidae

Daimyo Oak Stag Beetle

Dorcus curvidens

Known as 'daimyo-o-kuwagata,' a large stag beetle found in Japan and Korea. Males have impressively ...

25-60 mm
Staphylinidae

Dark Rove Beetle

Tachyporus nitidulus

A small, shiny dark brown rove beetle with a characteristic boat-shaped body. It is incredibly numer...

3-4 mm
Cantharidae

Dark Soldier Beetle

Cantharis obscura

A dark-colored European soldier beetle often found on umbelliferous flowers. Its entirely dark elytr...

9-13 mm
Tenebrionidae

Darkling Beetle

Eleodes obscura

A flightless, black desert beetle that raises its abdomen in a headstand posture when threatened. It...

20-35 mm
Ptinidae

Deathwatch Beetle

Xestobium rufovillosum

A small, mottled brown wood-boring beetle that creates a distinctive tapping sound by banging its he...

5-9 mm
Scarabaeidae

Delta Dung Beetle

Deltochilum orbiculare

A matte black roller dung beetle with a rounded body and distinctively flattened outer edges of the ...

15-25 mm
Scarabaeidae

Delta Flower Scarab

Trigonopeltastes delta

A small triangular beetle marked with a distinctive delta-shaped pattern in yellow and black. It is ...

8-12mm
Carabidae Endangered

Delta Green Ground Beetle

Elaphrus viridis

A small metallic green ground beetle found only near vernal pools in Solano County, California. It i...

0.6-0.8 cm
Cantharidae

Denticulate Soldier Beetle

Silis percomis

A small, rarely noticed soldier beetle found in grasslands of the midwestern United States. Males ha...

5-8 mm
Dermestidae

Dermestid Beetle

Dermestes maculatus

A small dark beetle with white undersides used by museums and taxidermists to clean skeletons. Larva...

6-10mm
Meloidae

Desert Blister Beetle

Epicauta puncticollis

A soft-bodied beetle that produces cantharidin, a blistering toxin, in its hemolymph. It feeds on de...

10-18 mm
Cerambycidae

Desert Longhorn Beetle

Crossidius hirtipes

A hairy, brightly marked longhorn beetle of the American Southwest. Adults visit desert wildflowers ...

12-20 mm
Tenebrionidae

Desert Sand Beetle

Erodius carinatus

A small, round, heavily armored darkling beetle of North African sandy deserts. It burrows into sand...

10-14 mm
Meloidae

Desert Spider Beetle

Cysteodemus armatus

A bizarre inflated blister beetle with a bulbous, metallic blue-black abdomen. It waddles slowly thr...

10-16 mm
Cicindelidae

Desert Tiger Beetle

Cicindela hemorrhagica

A bright red and green tiger beetle that hunts along the edges of desert streams and alkaline flats....

12-15 mm
Curculionidae

Desert Weevil

Brachycerus ornatus

A robust, intricately sculptured weevil found in arid southern African habitats. Its fused wing cove...

12-20 mm
Staphylinidae

Devil's Coach Horse

Ocypus olens

A large, matt-black rove beetle that raises its tail like a scorpion when threatened. It has powerfu...

22-32 mm
Chrysomelidae

Diamondback Eumolpid

Colaspis brunnea

A small, oblong beetle with a pale brown to yellowish body and rows of punctures on the elytra. Larv...

4-5 mm
Scarabaeidae

Dichotomius Dung Beetle

Dichotomius carolinus

A large, robust black tunneling dung beetle with a distinctive bifurcate (forked) horn in males. Fem...

20-30 mm
Scarabaeidae

Digitonthophagus Dung Beetle

Digitonthophagus gazella

A small to medium, tan to brown tunneling dung beetle originally from Africa, now among the most wid...

7-14 mm
Carabidae

Dimple-back Ground Beetle

Elaphrus riparius

A small, fast-running beetle with distinctive cup-shaped depressions on its elytra that create a dim...

6-9 mm
Carabidae Vulnerable

Dinaric Cave Diving Beetle

Spelaeodytes mirabilis

A remarkable cave ground beetle from the Dinaric karst, with spider-like elongated legs. It was firs...

6-8 mm
Carabidae Vulnerable

Dinodes Ground Beetle

Dinodes decipiens

A rare cave-dwelling ground beetle from the Balkans with reduced eyes and elongated appendages. It r...

8-12 mm
Dynastinae Not Evaluated

Dionysius Beetle

Golofa porteri

A striking rhinoceros beetle with an extremely long, slender head horn. Males joust by interlocking ...

35-70 mm
Dytiscidae

Diving Beetle

Dytiscus marginalis

A large, streamlined aquatic beetle with an olive-green body bordered in yellow. It carries an air b...

27-35 mm
Curculionidae

Dock Leaf Weevil

Rhinoncus pericarpius

A small grey-brown weevil found on dock and sorrel plants. Larvae mine inside dock stems. One of sev...

2.5-3.5 mm
Chrysomelidae

Dogbane Beetle

Chrysochus auratus

An iridescent beetle displaying blue, green, copper, and crimson colors. It feeds on toxic dogbane p...

8-11mm
Staphylinidae

Dor Rove Beetle

Ontholestes murinus

A large, mottled gray and brown rove beetle commonly found on dung and carrion. Its speckled pattern...

12-18 mm
Curculionidae

Douglas-fir Beetle

Dendroctonus pseudotsugae

A dark reddish-brown bark beetle that attacks Douglas-fir trees, particularly those weakened by drou...

4-6 mm
Cantharidae

Downy Leatherwing

Podabrus tomentosus

A North American soldier beetle covered in fine pubescence, found on flowers and foliage in summer. ...

9-12 mm
Cicindelidae

Dromedary Tiger Beetle

Dromica kolbei

A large flightless tiger beetle with elongated legs and a matte black body. Females are larger than ...

15-25 mm
Ptinidae

Drugstore Beetle

Stegobium paniceum

A stored product pest once found infesting pharmaceutical herb collections....

2-4 mm
Carabidae Endangered

Dry Fork Valley Cave Beetle

Pseudanophthalmus montanus

A cave-obligate beetle from the Dry Fork Valley region of West Virginia. Like all members of its gen...

4-5 mm
Staphylinidae

Dune Rove Beetle

Bledius furcatus

A small, burrowing oxytelline rove beetle specialized for life in coastal sand dunes. Males have dis...

3-5 mm
Scarabaeidae

Dung Beetle

Scarabaeus sacer

Sacred to ancient Egyptians who associated them with the sun god Ra. They roll balls of dung for foo...

20-30 mm
Scarabaeidae

Dung Beetle (Rainbow)

Phanaeus vindex

One of the most beautiful dung beetles with iridescent metallic copper, green, and blue coloring. Ma...

12-22 mm
Scarabaeidae

Dung Beetle Navigator

Scarabaeus lamarcki

A medium-sized dung beetle from South Africa that navigates using celestial cues. It has been a key ...

20-30 mm
Scarabaeidae

Dung Roller Beetle

Kheper nigroaeneus

A large dung beetle that navigates using the Milky Way to roll balls in straight lines....

25-40 mm
Staphylinidae

Dung-loving Rove Beetle

Philonthus marginatus

A medium-sized, shiny black rove beetle with distinctly margined elytra found commonly in dung and c...

8-12 mm
Elateridae

Dusky Click Beetle

Agriotes obscurus

A dull dark brown click beetle with dense pubescence and subtle elytral striations. The larvae are s...

7-9 mm
Meloidae

East African Oil Beetle

Meloe angusticollis

A large, dark blue-black beetle with a soft, swollen abdomen and short wing covers. It oozes oily or...

15-40 mm
Carabidae

East Asian Pheropsophus Bombardier

Pheropsophus jessoensis

A large Asian bombardier beetle with an orange head and pronotum and dark blue-black elytra. It is t...

15-25 mm
Carabidae

Eastern Bombardier Beetle

Brachinus explodens

A bombardier beetle widespread across central and eastern Europe. It hunts small soil invertebrates ...

5-8 mm
Cerambycidae

Eastern Clytus

Clytus planifrons

A wasp-mimicking cerambycid found in the deciduous forests of eastern North America with bold yellow...

8-15 mm
Scarabaeidae

Eastern Forest Dung Beetle

Onthophagus hecate

A small, dark brown to black tunneling dung beetle common in eastern North American forests. Males h...

5-9 mm
Dynastinae

Eastern Hercules Beetle

Dynastes tityus

The largest beetle in North America, with males bearing a large pronotal horn. Elytra are greenish-y...

40-60 mm
Scarabaeidae Not Evaluated

Eastern Hercules Flower Beetle

Mecynorrhina polyphemus

A large African flower beetle with variable coloration from green to brown. Males have a short forke...

40-80 mm
Chrysomelidae Not Evaluated

Eggplant Flea Beetle

Epitrix fuscula

A small dark beetle that creates dense shothole feeding damage on eggplant and potato leaves. Heavy ...

1.5-2.5 mm
Buprestidae

Eight-spotted Jewel Beetle

Castiarina octospilota

A compact jewel beetle with eight distinctive pale spots arranged on dark metallic elytra. It is an ...

8-13 mm
Cicindelidae

Eight-spotted Tiger Beetle

Cicindela octogramma

A dark bronze tiger beetle bearing eight distinct pale spots on its elytra. It is a fast-moving pred...

10-15 mm
Cerambycidae

Elderberry Borer

Desmocerus palliatus

A striking longhorn beetle with cobalt blue wing covers and a bright yellow-orange base. Its larvae ...

18-26 mm
Lucanidae Not Evaluated

Elegant Stag Beetle

Odontolabis elegans

A large Southeast Asian stag beetle with smooth, curved mandibles. Males show dramatic polymorphism ...

35-85 mm
Scarabaeidae

Elephant Beetle

Megasoma elephas

One of the heaviest beetles, weighing up to 50 grams. Males have prominent horns on the head and pro...

70-120 mm
Scarabaeidae

Elephant Dung Beetle

Heliocopris dilloni

A very large black dung beetle that specializes in elephant dung. Males have a prominent curved horn...

35-55 mm
Curculionidae (Scolytinae) Not Evaluated

Elm Bark Beetle

Scolytus multistriatus

A small bark beetle that is the primary vector of Dutch elm disease in North America. It creates dis...

2–3.5 mm
Chrysomelidae Not Evaluated

Elm Leaf Beetle

Xanthogaleruca luteola

A yellowish-green beetle with dark stripes along its elytra. Both adults and larvae feed on elm leav...

5-7 mm
Chrysomelidae

Elongate Leaf Beetle

Oreina elongata

A slender metallic beetle that feeds on alpine dock and sorrel. It is found in moist mountain meadow...

6-8 mm
Staphylinidae

Elongate Paederine

Lathrobium elongatum

A very slender, reddish-brown paederine rove beetle that lives deep within waterlogged soils near st...

7-9 mm
Buprestidae

Emerald Ash Borer

Agrilus planipennis

One of the most destructive invasive insects in North America. Native to Asia, it has killed hundred...

8-14 mm
Curculionidae Data Deficient

Emerald Eupholus Weevil

Eupholus cuvieri

A spectacular weevil with brilliant turquoise and black bands across its elytra. It is found only in...

20-30mm
Scarabaeidae Not Evaluated

Emerald Fruit Chafer

Dicronorrhina derbyana

A large and spectacular flower beetle from East Africa with vivid green elytra. It is popular among ...

35-50 mm
Cerambycidae Not Evaluated

Emerald Long-Horned Beetle

Callichroma velutinum

A beautiful velvety green longhorn beetle found in tropical African forests. It has a downy texture ...

20-30 mm
Lycidae

End Band Net-Winged Beetle

Calopteron terminale

A net-winged beetle with orange elytra that become black at the tips, common in eastern North Americ...

9-15 mm
Carabidae

Epomis Ground Beetle

Epomis dejeani

A beetle whose larvae lure and devour frogs — a rare case of predator-prey role reversal. The larva ...

14-20 mm (adults)
Chrysomelidae

Eucalyptus Tortoise Beetle

Paropsis charybdis

A pale yellowish-brown beetle with dark spots on the elytra and a characteristic domed tortoise-like...

9-12 mm
Chrysomelidae

Euphorbia Flea Beetle

Aphthona euphorbiae

A tiny bronze flea beetle that feeds on spurge plants. Used as a highly effective biological control...

2-3 mm
Curculionidae (Scolytinae) Not Evaluated

European Ash Bark Beetle

Hylesinus varius

A bark beetle that colonizes ash trees across Europe. It creates star-shaped brood galleries radiati...

2.5–3.5 mm
Scarabaeidae

European Flower Beetle

Tropinota hirta

A hairy black beetle with scattered white spots that feeds deep inside flowers. It is an important p...

8-13 mm
Lampyridae

European Glow-Worm Click Beetle

Phosphaenus hemipterus

A small European firefly with reduced wings in the male and completely wingless females. Both sexes ...

6-10 mm
Lampyridae Vulnerable

European Glowworm

Lampyris noctiluca

A well-known European firefly where only the wingless female produces a steady green glow. Males are...

15-25 mm (females); 10-12 mm (males)
Curculionidae Not Evaluated

European Grain Weevil

Sitophilus granarius

A small, dark brown, flightless weevil that infests stored grain. It has been a pest since ancient c...

3-5 mm
Carabidae

European Ground Beetle

Carabus nemoralis

A common bronze-colored ground beetle that thrives in forests and gardens across Europe. It has beco...

20–26 mm
Lampyridae

European Large Firefly

Lamprohiza splendidula

A central European firefly whose males produce a continuous greenish glow while flying. Its predator...

8-12 mm
Bostrichidae Not Evaluated

European Powderpost Beetle

Lyctus linearis

A common European powderpost beetle that infests dry hardwood. It is a significant pest of stored ti...

2.5–5 mm
Scarabaeidae

European Rhinoceros Beetle

Allomyrina dichotoma

A large, chestnut-brown beetle with a forked horn on the male's head. It is immensely popular as a p...

40-55 mm
Carabidae

European Seedcorn Ground Beetle

Zabrus tenebrioides

An unusual ground beetle that is herbivorous as an adult, feeding on cereal crops. Larvae are predat...

14-18 mm
Curculionidae (Scolytinae) Not Evaluated

European Spruce Bark Beetle

Ips typographus

A major pest of spruce forests across Europe and Asia. Adults bore through bark to create characteri...

4–5.5 mm
Cerambycidae Not Evaluated

European Spruce Longhorn Beetle

Tetropium castaneum

A longhorn beetle native to Europe that bores into spruce trunks. It typically colonizes weakened or...

8–18 mm
Carabidae

European Trechus Cave Beetle

Trechus quadristriatus

A small, pale brown ground beetle with four prominent striae on each elytron. Despite belonging to a...

3-4 mm