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*** Note: KnowYourInsects.org does its best to include correct identifications of insect photos. It’s always possible that we made a mistake, however, so if you see a misidentification, please contact us and we will correct it. Thanks!
Order Coleoptera: the beetles — Examples
Now on THREE pages
| Brachypsectridae | Buprestidae | Byrrhidae | Callirhipidae | Cantharidae | Carabidae | Cicindelidae (see Carabidae) | Dermestidae |
| Drilidae (see also: Elateridae) | Dytiscidae | Elateridae | Glaphyridae | Histeridae | Hydrophilidae | Lampyridae | Lucanidae |
| Lycidae | Passalidae | Phengodidae | Ptinidae | Scarabaeidae | Silphidae | Staphylinidae |
| Cerambycidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Anthicidae | Anthribidae | Attelabidae | Brentidae | Cleridae | Coccinellidae | Cucujidae | Curculionidae | Erotylidae | Lymexylidae |
| Melyridae | Meloidae | Mordellidae | Nitidulidae | Oedemeridae | Silvanidae | Tenebrionidae | Trogossitidae | Zopheridae |
Carabidae, the ground beetles
A tyrant ground beetle, also known as a spotted ground beetle, in the genus Anthia, probably Anthia mitchelli (no specific common name), subfamily Anthiinae, family Carabidae. □ The tyrant ground beetle has a gland at the rear of the abdomen from which it can squirt a chemical secretion that contains some bad-tasting and bad-smelling chemicals. See the photographer’s comment below about how her dog learned about this ability.” Photographed by: Lindsey Southern. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Whiteriver, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Date: 6 May, 2019. Lindsey says, “It seems to also squirt an unpleasant liquid out its butt, as when my dog went close to it — to sniff it — she came away very suddenly and was trying to wipe off her muzzle. |
Six-spot ground beetle or domino beetle, Anthia sexguttata, subfamily Anthiinae, family Carabidae. □ The six, large, white spots help identify this aptly named six-spot ground beetle, sometimes also suitably called a domino beetle. Photographed by: Amit S. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India. Date: 6 August, 2021. Amit says this large beetle was “very shy.” |
Central American montane tiger beetle, Pseudoxycheila tarsalis, subfamily Cicindelinae, family Carabidae. □ This Central American montane tiger beetle has a beautiful blue-green sheen. Depending on the lighting, it may look more blue, and is often known as a blue tiger beetle. To learn about its territorial behavior and defensive mechanisms, click here (Global Diversity Information Facility, GBIF). Photographed and identified by: Paul Davis. Well done on the ID, Paul! Location: Xandari resort, Costa Rica. Date: 27 June, 2018. |
Six-spotted tiger beetle, Cicindela sexguttata, subfamily Cicindelinae, family Carabidae. □ Six-spotted tiger beetles have small white spots on their metallic emerald-green elytra (the hardened forewings covering its back). Many have only six spots ringing the outside edge, but some either have two more spots toward the middle (like this one), or have two less. Photographed and identified by: Kyle Lengerich. Well done on the ID, Kyle! Location: Indiana, USA. Date: 2019. |
Six-spotted tiger beetle, Cicindela sexguttata, subfamily Cicindelinae, family Carabidae. □ Most people see six-spotted tiger beetles when these insects come out of the woods and run across sidewalks or paths. Occasionally, this beetle will be blue rather than green. Photographed and identified by: Leslie Mertz. Location: Kalkaska County, Michigan, USA. Date: 28 May, 2012. Leslie says, “That green metallic is even prettier in person.” |
Six-spotted tiger beetle, Cicindela sexguttata, subfamily Cicindelinae, family Carabidae. □ With an emerald shimmer, this six-spotted tiger beetle shows off its six white spots, plus two additional, much smaller spots in the center of the elytra (the hardened forewings covering its back). Click on the photo to zoom in and see the small spots. Photographed and identified by: Conrad Storad (who writes fun children’s nature books). Nice ID, Conrad! Location: Silver Creek Metro Park in Norton, Ohio, USA. Date: 25 June, 2025. Conrad says he got this photo on a Sunday “short photography safari.” What a great way to spend a summer Sunday! |
Six-spotted tiger beetle, Cicindela sexguttata, subfamily Cicindelinae, family Carabidae. □ The six-spotted tiger beetle will actually run after prey (other small insects) and attack with its strong jaws. When it has grabbed one, the beetle will drag it into an underground burrow for private dining. Photographed and identified to order by: Keith Rehbein. Location: western Massachusetts, USA. Date: 6 June, 2020. Keith says he spotted this with his kids. Go, Rehbein family! |
Green tiger beetle, Cicindela campestris, subfamily Cicindelinae, family Carabidae. □ This green tiger beetle, which can be up to 1.5 cm (0.6 inches) long, has shiny green elytra (the hardened forewings covering its back) with sparse, small white to yellowish spots, and a pronotum (the shield covering its thorax) and head colored in green and bronze metallic. Photographed and identified to order by: Yanni Petropoulos. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: mainland of southwest Greece. Date: 30 April, 2020. |
Littoral tiger beetle, Calomera littoralis, female, subfamily Cicindelinae, family Carabidae. □ This bronze-colored littoral tiger beetle has cream spots on its elytra (the hardened wings covering its back) and a sideways, green “8” marking on its pronotum (the shield covering its thorax). Photographed and identified as a tiger beetle by: Yanni Petropoulos. Location: southern Greece. Date: 22 June, 2020. Yanni says, “I found it just by the sandy shore, feeding next to the waves.” |
Myriochila melancholica (no specific common name), subfamily Cicindelinae, family Carabidae. □ Myriochila melancholica has spread its elytra (the hardened forewings covering its abdomen), so that the membranous flight wings beneath are showing. In flight, the elytra remain extended, so the flight wings can flap unimpeded. □ This metallic, grayish-brown beetle has delicate drops and swoops of cream on its elytra, and white bristles ringing the front half of its body. Photographed by: Sarah Park. Location: Central African Republic. Date: 13 March, 2023. |
A tiger beetle in the genus Cicindela, likely a bronzed tiger beetle, Cicindela repanda, subfamily Cicindelinae, family Carabidae. □ This pair of photos show not only the scrolled markings on this tiger beetle’s back, but also the metallic coloration on its body and legs, and the multitude of setae (insect “hairs”) on this insect. See the comment below about these insects, which were photographed on an upland sandy bank at the very edge of a reservoir. Photographed and identified to order by: Jo Belasco. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Wheatland, Wyoming, USA. Date: 13 June, 2019. Jo’s sister Dawn sent in the photos, and she says, “It was a sunny day and the sand was warm. These creatures were hopping all over the sand, mating, and reminded me of water striders in the way they moved.” To see a water strider, click here (KnowYourInsects.org webpage). |
Purple-rimmed carabus, also known as the European ground beetle, bronze ground beetle or bronze carabid, Carabus nemoralis, subfamily Carabinae, family Carabidae. □ The purple-rimmed carabus, which is also known as a European ground beetle, was introduced to the United States, where this photo was taken, from its native Europe. Note the color variation between this individual and other purple-rimmed carabuses posted on this page. Photographed and identified to genus by: Ryan King. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Fairview, Michigan, USA. Date: 19 April, 2019. Ryan says he happened upon this beetle under a log and it “looked rather interesting.” |
Purple-rimmed carabus, also known as the European ground beetle, bronze ground beetle or bronze carabid, Carabus nemoralis, subfamily Carabinae, family Carabidae. □ The diet of the purple-rimmed carabus includes slugs, snails, centipedes and millipedes. This flightless, nocturnal beetle has a greenish-bronze coloration with hints of purple or reddish-copper around the edges, and also has tiny, gold-centered depressions (called fovea) on its back. Gardeners often find it during the day under leaf litter. Photographed and identified to family by: Karen Bradfield. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Haute Vienne, France. Date: 30 January, 2020. Karen says, “A warmish but wet evening, he was climbing the wall near my back door.” |
A caterpillar hunter in the genus Calosoma, larva, subfamily Carabinae, family Carabidae. □ This beetle larva looks like it is covered in black armor plates. They are called caterpillar hunters for good reason: Both the larva and the adult do attack and eat caterpillars. □ It is difficult to distinguish between the larvae of different species in this genus. One possibility is the black caterpillar hunter (Calosoma sayi) — the adult is a dull black with ridges and tiny red indententations on its elytra (the wings that cover its back). To see the adult black caterpillar hunter, click here (BugGuide). Photographed by: Douglas Cox. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Canyon Lake, Texas, USA. Date: 28 April, 2020. Douglas says, “It played dead for about a minute so I could photograph it, then ran off.” |
Fiery hunter, Calosoma calidum, subfamily Carabinae, family Carabidae. □ The fiery hunter is sometimes called a fiery searcher. A large beetle at about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm), this black beetle has rows of red depressions (called fovea) on its back. Its mouthparts, including the finger-like palps, can be seen in the shadow. Note: This species was once listed under the genus Callisthenes. Photographed and identified by: Leslie Mertz. Location: Kalkaska County, Michigan, USA. Date: 24 May, 2012. Leslie says, “Look at the texture on its elytra (the hardened forewings covering its back), especially highlighted with those tiny red dots. Gorgeous!” |
Caterpillar hunter, possibly Calosoma peregrinator (no specific common name), or Calosoma angulatum (no specific common name), subfamily Carabinae, family Carabidae. □ Arizona is home to several species of caterpillar hunters — this one may be the species known by either the scientific name of Calosoma peregrinator or Calosoma angulatum. Photographed by: Amy Hoeh. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Date: 20 September, 2012. Amy says, “I have been finding approximately 3-6 of these huge black bugs in all areas of my property for the past month to 1.5 months.” |
Snail killer carabid, Scaphinotus angusticollis, subfamily Carabinae, family Carabidae. □ The snail killer carabid is black and deep-red, and may be shiny (like this one) or dull. They live in moist places where they can find — and eat — snails and slugs. Photographed and identified to order by: Doug Pollock. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: along a trail in Sooke, British Columbia, Canada. Date: 8 December, 2019. Doug, says, “There are definitely plenty of slugs on Vancouver Island were we live. This was the first time seeing this little beetle.” |
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Scarites buparius (no specific common name), subfamily Scaritinae, family Carabidae. □ Male Scarites buparius will fight one another to determinance dominance. Fighting consists of using their jaws to grab, lift and drop one another (rather similar to human entertainment wrestlers!). Usually, beetle fighters both survive, but occasionally one suffers a fatal blow. Photographed by: Yanni Patropolus. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: mainland of southwest Greece. Date: 12 February, 2023. |
A ground beetle, likely Scarites vicinus (no specific common name), subfamily Scaritinae, family Carabidae. □ This ground beetle is likely Scarites vicinus. Although Scarites vicinus is similar in appearance to Scarites quadriceps, the latter is far less common in the northern United States, where this insect was found. To see a key to the North American beetles in this genus (Scarites), click here (via BugGuide). Photographed by: Eric Grewe. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Novi, Michigan, USA. Date: 16 June, 2015. Eric found this beetle while at work. Insects are indeed everywhere! |
Bradycellus californicus (no specific common name), subfamily Harpalinae, family Carabidae. □ The body of Bradycellus californicus has a finish like a polished, brown, patent-leather shoe. Like many species in this subfamily, the pronotum (the shield covering its thorax) is smooth, while the elytra (forewings covering the abdomen) have slight ridges on them. The beetle uses the four finger-like palps on its mouthparts (two labial palps and two maxillary palps) to feel, taste and manipulate food items. □ The insect leg has two small sections called a coxa and trochanter between the body and the femur (“thigh”), but in some insects, the trochanter is enlarged, as it is in this ground beetle. The enlarged trochanter is visible in the hind leg in the center photo, and hangs down alongside the femur up near the body. Photographed and identified to order by: Thomas Langhans. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. See Thomas’s full-size images here, here and here. Location: San Bruno, county of San Mateo, California, USA. Date: 12 February, 2020. Thomas says it was about 9 mm (1/3 inch) long. |
Green-winged lebia, Lebia viridipennis, subfamily Harpalinae, family Carabidae. □ This green-winged lebia’ is red with dark-green elytra (the hardened forewings). Its elytra are smooth and shiny, unlike the ridged and dull elytra typical of many other species in its family (the ground beetles in the family Carabidae). Photographed and identified to order by: Frederic Strawbridge. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: southeastern Pennsylvania, USA. Date: 11 September, 2020. |
A woodland ground beetle in the genus Pterostichus, larva, subfamily Harpalinae, family Carabidae. □ The larva of woodland ground beetles has a dark oval on the dorsal surface of each abdominal segment. A young larva will have a light-colored pronotum (the shield covering its thorax), but as it gets older, the pronotum will become darker, as seen here. □ Adults are shiny and black with parallel ridges on their elytra (the hardened forewings covering its back). To seen an adult of one of the species of woodland ground beetle, click here (BugGuide). Photographed by: Gregg Averill. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA. Date: 12 July, 2023. Gregg spotted this larva running along his driveway. He says, “It was moving so quickly that I could not observe it in very much detail.” |  |
Trechus quadristriatus (no specific common name), subfamily Trechinae, family Carabidae. □ Trechus quadristriatus is a very small ground beetle: its body length is only 4 mm (0.15 inch). A closely related species named Trechus rubens (no specific common name) looks very similar, but it has light-colored, yellow legs instead of dark legs, as seen here. See the photographer’s comment below. Photographed by: Molly and Thomas. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Date: 25 August, 2023. Molly and Thomas were pretty sure this tiny beetle could not fly, but then it “spread small wings to fly away.” |
Archicolliuris bimaculata (no specific common name), subfamily Lebiinae, family Carabidae. □ The long pronotum (the shield covering its thorax) of Archicolliuris bimaculata is sometimes mistaken for a neck, so this beetle is sometimes called a “long-necked ground beetle.” Although difficult to see in this photo, its elytra (the hardened wings covering its back) are a darker brown on the back half, where the two spots are located. Its species name of bimaculata actually means two spots. Photographed by: Saloni Sharma. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: India. Date: 27 August, 2020. |
Unidentified ground beetle, larva, family Carabidae. □ Ground beetles go through the four stages of other types of beetles: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The typical larva of a ground beetle is elongate, as seen here, with a large head equipped with noticeable, curved jaws ideal for chewing. The species of this larva is unknown. Photographed by: Steve McKay. Identified by: Professor Jim Hardie, director of science, Royal Entomological Society. Location: Den Haag, the Netherlands. Date: 25 April, 2021. Steve tried identifying it with the KnowYourInsects.org key to no avail, and then sought advice from Dr. Hardie and a Dutch insect website, so he says, “all in, this larva ID has had a very international flavor!” |
□ The term grub is usually reserved for the larvae of scarab beetles (family Scarabaeidae), but is sometimes used for other beetle larva, too. |
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Dytiscidae, the predaceous diving beetles
Fringed diving beetle, also known as a giant diving beetle, Cybister fimbriolatus, subfamily Dytiscinae, family Dytiscidae. □ Fringed diving beetles spend much of their lives in the water of ponds and lakes, but they can fly and will often head for streetlights or other lights on land. As noted by the photographer (see below), this one was indeed spotted on land. Photographed by: Brianna Sutterfield. Identified to family by: Mark Stephens, 2016 Conservation Educator of the Year. Mark runs the wonderful Project F.I.S.H. program in Michigan. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Mount Pleasant, Michigan, USA. Date: 27 February, 2018. Brianna says, “I found this big guy in a parking lot tonight! He was at least an inch and a half long and about an inch wide!” (That is 3.8 cm long and 2.5 cm wide.) |
Fringed diving beetle, also known as a giant diving beetle, Cybister fimbriolatus, subfamily Dytiscinae, family Dytiscidae. □ Fringed diving beetles are quite large: The photographer estimated it at about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) long. The silhouette and the light-brown border help identify it. Photographed by: Shawn McComb. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. Date: 6 April, 2020. Shawn says, “It was by a library (and) there is a fish hatchery a few miles down the road.” |
A predaceous diving beetle, family Dytiscidae. □ The identification of this predaceous diving beetle is difficult from the photo, but its size (about that of an almond, according to the photographer) and its gold highlights suggest it could be a member of the genus Meridiorhantus or possibly Thermonectus. To see other members of either genus, click here or click here (both at BugGuide). Photographed by: Tyler Oberding. Identified to possible genus by: Tyler Oberding and KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Las Tunas, Cuba. Date: 9 January, 2021. |
Wasp great diving beetle, Dytiscus circumflexus, subfamily Dytiscinae, family Dytiscidae. □ These photos of a wasp great diving beetle show the long hind legs, which are perfect for maneuvering in the water. The photo from the underside shows the legs particularly well. □ These photos are screen grabs from a video of this beetle flipping from its back to an upright position. It accomplished the feat by opening its wings and using its elytra (the stiff forewings) as levers, but throughout the process, it was moving its hind legs like mad! Photographed and identified to family by: Ellie Russell. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Clare, Ireland. Date: 12 June, 2021. Ellie spotted this one when it flew into the car window one June night. |
A water tiger, likely in the genus Dytiscus, subfamily Dytiscinae, family Dytiscidae. □ Water tiger is the generic name for the larva of a predaceous diving beetle. It is a fierce predator with its sharp and strong jaws, which work well to attack and subdue prey. According to the photographer, the local people in Odisha, India, call them hardabhanga, which he said translates to “bone breaker,” so named because their bite is so painful (see the comments below). Photographed and identified to common name by: Skrahim Bakas. Identified to genus by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Odisha, India. Date: 31 July, 2018. Skrahim says, “I found them in a muddy field where farmers are ready to plant paddy crops. Generally this insect has a shrimp-like body structure, and the mouth is like a centipede.” |
Cantharidae, the soldier beetles
Goldenrod soldier beetles, Chauliognathus pensylvanicus, subfamily Chauliognathinae, family Cantharidae. □ Look closely at these mating goldenrod soldier beetles to see the female underneath the male. As with many insect species, the female is often larger than the male. Although often seen sitting atop goldenrod flowers (in the genus Solidago), this pair is on milkweed (in the genus Asclepias). □ Compare these goldenrod soldier beetles to the margined leatherwings (Chauliognathus marginatus) shown elsewhere on this page, and note the different orientation of the black bar on the pronotum (the shield covering its thorax) — this helps to distinguish the two. Photographed by: Diana Koss. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: L’Anse, Michigan, USA. Date: 9 August, 2016. |
Goldenrod soldier beetles, Chauliognathus pensylvanicus, subfamily Chauliognathinae, family Cantharidae. □ Goldenrod soldier beetles typically have a dark spot that covers about half of each elytra (the hardened wings covering the abdomen). The photographer spotted these beetles in flight, and snapped this shot when they landed. Photographed by: Lisa Sells. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Cool Creek Park, Carmel, Indiana, USA. Date: 30 August, 2020. Lisa says, “They were sure active little things!” |
Goldenrod soldier beetles, Chauliognathus pensylvanicus, subfamily Chauliognathinae, family Cantharidae. □ Goldenrod soldier beetles feed on pollen and nectar, and occasionally on aphids. Often when they are feeding, their banded abdomen shows, as seen here. Photographed by: Dale Nieminski. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Chicagoland area, Illinois, USA. Date: 26 August, 2021. |
Margined leatherwing, Chauliognathus marginatus, subfamily Chauliognathinae, family Cantharidae. □ This margined leatherwing is almost identical in appearance to the goldenrod soldier beetle (shown elsewhere on this page). One way to help tell them apart in Canada and the United States is that margined leatherwings are common earlier in the summer season, while goldenrod soldier beetles become more numerous later in the summer — about the time that goldenrod (in the genus Solidago) is blooming. Photographed and identified to genus by: Christopher Barger. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: East Tennessee, USA. Date: 12 June, 2020. |
Margined leatherwing, Chauliognathus marginatus, subfamily Chauliognathinae, family Cantharidae. □ This species has a lot of variation. Some margined leatherwings, like this one, have a good deal of black on the elytra. Others, however, just a black spot at the rear of the elytra. Photographed by: Marv Goldberg. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Tamarac, Florida, USA. Date: 17 May, 2019. Marv says, “Amazing what comes to visit me right outside my door.” |
Margined leatherwing, Chauliognathus marginatus, subfamily Chauliognathinae, family Cantharidae. □ Individual margined leatherwings can look a bit different from one another. This one has orange “shoulders” and just a small black spot on its pronotum (the shield covering its thorax). Photographed by: Marv Goldberg. Location: Tamarac, Florida, USA. Date: 28 May, 2019. Marv says, “Another beetle-ish visitor.” |
Margined leatherwing, Chauliognathus marginatus, subfamily Chauliognathinae, family Cantharidae. □ This photo of a pair of mating margined leatherwings illustrates the difference in size between the sexes. Like many insects, the female is much larger than the male. Photographed by: Marv Goldberg. Location: Tamarac, Florida, USA. Date: 29 June, 2020. |
Texas soldier beetle, Chauliognathus scutellaris, subfamily Chauliognathinae, family Cantharidae. □ The Texas soldier beetle has a long, black triangle extending down each elytra, with the widest part of the triangle near the pronotum (the shield covering its thorax); and a second black elongated marking on the rear half of each elytra. Although it is known as a Texas soldier beetle in the U.S., it is actually much more common in Mexico, where it is known simply as a soldier beetle. Photographed and identified by: Robert E. Carpenter. Nice ID, Robert! See Robert’s slow-motion insect videos here. Location: Kerrville, Texas, USA. Date: 3 May, 2019. |
Red soldier beetle, Rhagonycha fulva, subfamily Cantharinae, family Cantharidae. □ The red soldier beetle is sometimes known as a bloodsucker beetle because of its red coloration, and although it does not suck blood, it does eat aphids. In the UK, it is sometimes called a hogweed bonking beetle, which refers to the frequent spotting of these beetles paired up and mating on various plants, notably giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). Photographed and identified to order by: Rukyya Siddique. Identified to genus by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Uttarakhand, India. Date: 21 June, 2020. |
Brown leatherwing, Pacificanthia consors, subfamily Cantharinae, family Cantharidae. □ This brown leatherwing has a diet that includes many garden pests, including aphids, citrus mealybugs (known as greenhouse mealybugs in Europe), various caterpillars, and mites, so it is a good one to find it in the yard. Photographed by: Matt McDowell. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Newark, California, USA. Date: 4 July, 2018. |
Brown leatherwing, Pacificanthia consors, subfamily Cantharinae, family Cantharidae. □ Although brown leatherwings are quite frequent visitors to gardens in the western United States, but little is known about this beneficial insect (beyond its diet). Photographed by: Michael Davis. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: California, USA. Date: 30 April, 2017. Michael says, “My Dad was involved in horticulture and loved his insects. He would laugh that I took a photo of a soldier beetle and had it posted when I was more interested in a different Beatle growing up...” |
Pacificanthia rotundicollis (no specific common name), subfamily Cantharinae, family Cantharidae. □ “You lookin’ at me?” This Pacificanthia rotundicollis seems to be as curious about the photographer as the photographer is about the beetle in this nice shot! This species of soldier beetle is very similar in appearance to the brown leatherwing seen elsewhere on this page. In fact, both are in the same genus. One difference is that the legs are all orange in this soldier beetle, while they are orange and black in the brown leatherwing. Photographed and identified by: Iggy Tavares. Nice ID, Iggy! Location: Big Sky Resort, Montana, USA. Date: June, 2015. |
Pacificanthia rotundicollis (no specific common name), subfamily Cantharinae, family Cantharidae. □ This nice view from the top shows the rounded pronotum (the shield covering its thorax) of Pacificanthia rotundicollis. Its species name of rotundicollis refers to that rounded feature. Photographed by: Judi Ragsdale. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Lafayette, (northern) California, USA. Date: 6 June, 2018. Judi says, “I am a member of a Facebook group of photographers from Flowers From All Over the World and when someone asked me what the insect was, I was stumped. Now, I have a name! Thank you for identifying it.” KnowYourInsects.org says, “Glad to help!” |
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□ Soldier beetles get their name from their overall appearance, which looks rather like it is wearing one of the boxy army coats of olden days. |
Rustic soldier beetle, Cantharis rustica, subfamily Cantharinae, family Cantharidae. □ Adult rustic soldier beetles are often found on plants in the carrot/parsley family named Apiaceae, which include plants with an umbrella-like flower head), where they prey on insects and also dine on nectar and pollen. See the note below. Photographed and identified to order by: Elizabeth Colley. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, UK. Date: 19 June, 2021. Elizabeth witnessed this rustic soldier beetle eating a scarlet lily leaf beetle (Lilioceris lilii), an interesting observation because she could find no information about it preying on lily beetles. |
Cantharis rufa (no specific common name), subfamily Cantharinae, family Cantharidae. □ Cantharis rufa may have light brown or dark brownish-gray elytra (the hardened forewings covering its back), and may have a pronotum (the shield covering its thorax) that is either all one color (as seen here) or that has a scattering of dark blotches. This species of soldier beetle reaches about 0.5 inches (1.2 cm) in body length. □ This species sometimes goes by the common name of red solider beetle, but that name is usually reserved for the species Rhagonycha fulva, which is posted elsewhere on this page. Photographed and identified by: Eric Blehaut. Nice ID, Eric! Location: Lille, France. Date: 15 June, 2023. |
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Elateridae, the click beetles
Chalcolepidius validus (no specific common name), subfamily Agrypninae, family Elateridae. □ An attractive species of click beetle, Chalcolepidius validus has pinstriped elytra (the hardened forewings wings covering its abdomen) and a white-tinged pronotum (the shield covering its thorax). The photo at right shows its underside, including the mechanism, which looks blue in the photo, that allows it to jump into the air. It is latched in place most of the time, but when the beetle feels threatened, it can let the latch go, and this springs the beetle into the air. The leap is accompanied by a little click, which is how this family of insects gets their name: click beetles. Photographed and identified by: Ron Andrew. Nice ID, Ron! Location: St. Lucia. Date: 4 March, 2021. |
Western eyed click beetles, mating pair, Alaus melanops, subfamily Agrypninae, family Elateridae. □ This photo shows a mating pair of western eyed click beetles. Some people call click beetles “skip jacks” or “snapping beetles” for the snapping noise they make as they leap or skip into the air to avoid predators. □ This species is often quite dark and lacks any light-colored patches on its head. In fact, its species name of melanops is Greek for for black (melas) and face (ops). Photographed and identified by: Nancy James. Nice ID, Nancy! Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (about 100 miles south of the Canadian border, USA. Date: 21 April, 2019. Nancy found this pair in her driveway. |
Eyed click beetle, Alaus oculatus, subfamily Agrypninae, family Elateridae. □ When the eyed click beetle has its legs pulled in and out of sight, this large beetle looks more like a fishing lure than a living insect. Photographed and identified by: Keith Grix. Nice ID, Keith! Location: Hadley, Michigan, USA. Date: 1 June, 2014. |
Eyed click beetle, Alaus oculatus, subfamily Agrypninae, family Elateridae. □ The “click” part of the eyed click beetle’s name refers to the ability of these beetles to jump due to the presence of a hinge mechanism on their ventral (belly) side. When this mechanism releases, the beetle pops off the ground. If you are holding one when it clicks, it can be a little startling! Photographed and identified by: Leslie Mertz. Location: Kalkaska County, Michigan, USA. Date: 12 July, 2011. |
Eyed click beetle, Alaus oculatus, subfamily Agrypninae, family Elateridae. □ The “eyed” part of the eyed click beetle’s name refers to the two big black spots on the pronotum (the shield covering its thorax). They may look like eyes — and the spots are even called “eyespots” but they are just colored spots. Their actual eyes are much smaller and located forward on the head. Photographed by: Earl McKay. Location: Union, Michigan, USA. Date: 19 June, 2016. Earl says, “Caught this insect, have never seen one like it in my area, ever!” |
Eyed click beetle, Alaus oculatus, subfamily Agrypninae, family Elateridae. □ As seen here, the eyespots in the eyed click beetle are quite large and encircled with a white outline. Compare it to the Texas click beetle and western eyed click beetle, pictured elsewhere on this page. Photographed by: Roderick Jefferson. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: northern Florida, USA. Date: 27 August, 2019. |
Eyed click beetle, Alaus oculatus, subfamily Agrypninae, family Elateridae. □ This photo shows the size of this large eyed click beetle. It takes a very careful look to see past the huge eyespots and find its little black eyes: the two compound eyes are on outside of the head, just behind and to the side of the antennae. Photographed and identified by: Cindy and Ray Green. Nice ID, Cindy and Ray! Location: Rose Township, Michigan, USA. Date: 10 June, 2016. |
Texas click beetle, Alaus lusciosus, subfamily Agrypninae, family Elateridae. □ This nice photo of a Texas click beetle shows the characteristic yellowish flush next to the false eyes on its pronotum (the shield covering its thorax). The photo also includes a second, smaller creature in the shot. That creature is a pillbug, which is actually a type of crustacean. Seven-year-old Noah spotted this pair in a dead tree (great job, Noah!), and his mom took the photo. Spotted by: Noah Louvat. Photographed and identified to genus by: Elizabeth Louvat. (Good work on the identification, Elizabeth!) Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Central Texas, USA. Date: 21 April, 2019. |
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Conoderus rudis (no specific common name), subfamily Agrypninae, family Elateridae. □ The photographer noticed a number of small, light-colored triangles on the back of this beetle. This is an identifying characteristic of Conoderus rudis. To see the triangles clearly and learn more about this species, click here (University of Florida “Featured Creatures” website). Photographed by: Milliann Abrams. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: North Carolina, USA. Date: 12 September, 2020. |
Flat wireworm, Aeolus mellillus, subfamily Agrypninae, family Elateridae. □ Entomologist George M. Stirrett named the flat wireworm in a 1936 journal article (The Canadian Entomologist). He described the adult as “having four darker elytral spots and a dark spot of the same color upon the pronotum.”, as shown in the photo above. Photographed by: Brooke Keaton. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. Date: 10 June 2020. Brooke says, “I woke up with it crawling on me this morning.” |
Flat wireworm, Aeolus mellillus, subfamily Agrypninae, family Elateridae. □ The common name of flat wireworm refers to the larva, which is flat, soft and yellowish. Its flatness separates this larva from those of similar, related species. The adult is shown above. The flat wireworm is a member of the click beetle family (see the comment below). Photographed by: Chris M. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Peoria Heights, Illinois, USA. Date: 29 August, 2016. After learning it is a type of click beetle, Chris says, “It made an amazing jump off my hand, and I think I do recall hearing a click or pop sound.” |
Flat wireworm, Aeolus mellillus, subfamily Agrypninae, family Elateridae. □ The flat wireworm goes through its entire life cycle — egg to larva to pupa to adult in one year. Related beetles typically take two to four years. □ Flat wireworms are considered agricultural pests especially in fields that have been recently plowed. The larvae nip and completely sever the stems of newly sprouting cereal plants, killing them. Photographed by: John Craig. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: central Indiana, USA. Date: 19 May, 2020. John says it was tiny. Indeed, adult flat wireworms only reach about 8 mm (less than 1/3 inch) in length. |
Elytra is the scientific term for the forewings of all beetles (the order Coleoptera). It is a Greek word for sheath, and refers to the forewings’ usually hardened, sheath-like construction. The elytra cover membranous hindwings that are folded below until they are needed for flight. |
A click beetle in the genus Orthostethus, subfamily Elaterinae, family Elateridae. □ One defensive mechanism of a click beetle is to play dead, as the photographer describes below. Another is to fling itself into the air, using the latch mechanism on its underside. A characteristic of this genus (Orthostethus) is the series of sharp points on the outside-rear edges of the pronotum (the shield covering its thorax). Photographed by: Debbie Miranda. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Warren, Rhode Island, USA. Date: 13 July, 2019. Debbie says, “I saw it on my desk upside down. I moved it. I thought it was dead. I flipped it over to take a pic and after a couple minutes, it started walking.” |
Glowing click beetle, also known as a cocuyo, Ignelater havaniensis, subfamily Agrypninae, family Elateridae. □ The glowing click beetle is known for the two bioluminescent spots on its elytra (the forewings covering its back). The spots glow green at night. Another species (Deilelater physoderus) is also called a glowing click beetle or gold spot click beetle. By comparison, Deilelater physoderus is a bit smaller at (0.6-0.7 inches (1.5–2.0 cm) vs. 1-1.2 inches (2.5–3.0 cm) long. In addition, Deilelater physoderus has noticeable ridges on its elytra, compared to smoother elytra in Ignelater havaniensis; and lacks the tiny spines that Ignelater havaniensis has on the rear end of its elytra (barely visible in the photo at right). Photographed by: Marv Goldberg. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Tamarac, Florida, USA. Date: 17 May, 2019. Marv says, “This guy was pretty big. At least an inch long.” |
Click beetle, larva, family Elateridae. □ The photographer found this larva of a click beetle in a maple log while cutting firewood. Photographed by: Jim Keatley. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada. Date: 29 April, 2020. |
Drilidae, false firefly beetle
 A false firefly beetle in the genus Drilus, quite possibly Drilus mauritanicus, subfamily Agrypninae, family Drilidae. □ The adult male of this false firefly beetle has wings and antennae like most other beetles, while the adult female is wingless and with tufts of setae (insect “hairs”) along her abdomen. The larva also look like the adult female, so this photo could be either. □ The larvae bite and paralyze snails, then crawl into the snail shell to live and grow, consuming the snail for food. To see the adult male, click here (iNaturalist). Photographed by: Basel Ismail. Identified to genus by: research entomologist Robert Haack, Ph.D. Thank you, Dr. Haack! Identified to tentative species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Cadiz, Spain. Date: 9 May, 2022. Basel spotted it in a hotel lobby. |
 A false firefly beetle in the tribe Drilini, family Drilidae. □ This false firefly beetle has three pairs of legs on the thorax (the lighter third of the body), and numerous multi-branched spikes along the abdomen. This could be a larva or an adult female, which retains larval features. The term for adults that retain larval characteristics is larvaform, and this type of “incomplete metamorphosis” is seen in a few groups of beetles. Photographed by: Sarah Park. Identified to tribe by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Central African Republic. Date: 25 September, 2023. |
□ False firefly beetles are sometimes listed under the click beetle family (Elateridae) based on molecular studies, but many taxonomists still regard them as being part of their own family: Drilidae. For more, click here. |
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Brachypsectridae, the Texas beetles
Texas beetle, Brachypsectra fulva, larva, family Brachypsectridae. □ This is a larva of a Texas beetle, which more resembles a trilobite than a typical beetle larva. As an adult, it looks similar to — and is related to — click beetles in the family Elateridae (examples elsewhere on this page). □ The Texas beetle is the only species from this family to live in North America. This family of beetles (Brachypsectridae) has eight species, including the Texas beetle and one that was identified in Australia only in 2020. To learn more about the Australian discovery, click here (the journal Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia). Photographed by: Abraham Ibarra. Identified by: Abraham Ibarra with online help. Location: San Antonio, Texas, USA. Date: 29 June, 2020. Abraham says, “It looks prehistoric.” |
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□ Would you like a list of all the beetle/Coleoptera families in one handy place? We made one for you! To see it, click here. |
Lycidae, the net-winged beetles
Thonalmus chevrolati (no specific common name), subfamily Lycinae, family Lycidae. □ These two photos show both pairs of wings on Thonalmus chevrolati. The forewings (called elytra) are stiffer and bicolored, with the rear half of each forewing having a blue or green metallic sheen depending on how the light strikes them. The hindwings, which are used for flight, are membranous. Photographed by: Juraj Bajgar. Submitted by: Clara Bajgar. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico. Date: 30 November, 2018. Clara says that Juraj caught this pretty beetle in flight. She adds, “The bug posed for the picture and flew away.” It was 1.3 cm (0.5 inches) long. |
A net-wing beetle in the genus Thonalmus, subfamily Lycinae, family Lycidae. □ This net-wing beetle appears completely reddish-orange in this top view, except for the wide band of black at the tip of its elytra (the hardened forewings most of its back). Photographed and identified to family by: Tarran P. Maharaj. Identified to genus by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Trinidad/Tobago. Date: 16 July, 2021. |
Lycid beetle, possibly a red-winged lycid, Porrostoma rufipenne, subfamily Metriorrhynchinae, family Lycidae. □ Several lycid beetles in the subfamily Metriorrhynchinae look similar and reside in New South Wales, where this photo was taken. This could be a red-winged lycid (Porrostoma rufipenne), a long-nosed lycid (Porrostoma rhipidium), or possibly Trichalus semicostatus (no specific common name), all of which have red elytra (the hardened forewings covering their abdomen), and a black head and antennae. Photographed by: Madeleine Richard. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Mittagong, New South Wales, Australia. Date: 3 December, 2022. Madeleine says, “ I have spotted this pair mating on the 60 Foot Falls trail.” |
Calopteron tropicum (no specific common name), subfamily Lycinae, family Lycidae. □ Calopteron tropicum has a single, relatively narrow, yellowish band on its otherwise black elytra (the hardened forewings covering their abdomen). It also sports just a touch of orange at the base of each of the elytra (near the “shoulders”) and an orange stripe on each side of the pronotum (the shield covering its thorax). Photographed and identified to family by: Tarran P. Maharaj. Identified to tentative genus by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Trinidad/Tobago. Date: 16 July, 2021. |
End band net-wing beetle, Calopteron terminale, subfamily Lycinae, family Lycidae. □ The orange-and-black elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen) of this end band net-wing beetle may be the showstoppers, but it is the membranous, black hindwings that are used for flight. A careful look will see that the hindwings also have a tinge of orange on them. □ Another characteristic of the end band net-wing beetle is the similar height of the ridges on the elytra. The banded net-wing beetle (Calopteron reticulatum) has ridges that are of clearly different heights. Photographed by: Gail Rowley, Ozark Stream Photography. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Location: Texas County, Missouri, USA. Date: 27 June, 2023. |
End band net-wing beetle, Calopteron terminale, subfamily Lycinae, family Lycidae. □ The end band net-wing beetle usually only has one band on the end of the elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen), as shown here. Similar-looking species include Calopteron discrepans and Calopteron reticulatum — both known as banded net-wing beetles — that typically (although not always, as shown elsewhere on this page) have an additional black band crossing each elytra. Photographed by: Claire M. Montgomery. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: southern Louisiana, USA. Date: 1 September, 2014. |
End band net-wing beetle, Calopteron terminale, subfamily Lycinae, family Lycidae. □ Sometimes, the banded net-wing beetle lacks the second band, so it can look almost identical to an end band net-wing beetle. One way to to tell them apart is to look for a dip in the center of each elytra, as seen here. Only the end band has the dip. Photographed by: J. Graham. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Noble County, Indiana, USA. Date: 12 August, 2019. |
Banded net-wing beetle, Calopteron reticulatum, subfamily Lycinae, family Lycidae. □ Two species go by the common name of banded net-wing beetle — Calopteron discrepans and Calopteron reticulatum — both of which typically have a black band across the middle of each of the two elytra. Calopteron discrepans has a band that is the same width all the way across the elytra, while Calopteron reticulatum has a band that tapers off toward the outside edge. This photo appears to be Calopteron reticulatum. Photographed by: Jim Hartzel. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Burke, Virginia, USA. Date: 11 July, 2018. |
A lycin beetle in the genus Plateros, subfamily Lycinae, family Lycidae. □ Lycin beetles in the genus Plateros are not well-described, which makes identification difficult. This one might be Plateros chinensis (no specific common name), which has an orange pronotum (the shield covering its thorax) with a bell-curve-shaped silhouette (as seen above), and black elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen). Photographed and identified to genus by: Eric Blehaut. Nice ID, Eric! Location: Mueang Nonthaburi, Bang Si Mueang, Thailand. Date: 12 July, 2023. |
Either a larva of a net-winged beetle, family Lycidae, or of a firefly, family Lampyridae. □ The larvae (immatures) of net-winged beetles and fireflies look alike, so it could be either one. More photos of similar larvae are posted under the firefly (Lampyridae) family section below. Photographed by: Lorenzo Ray Saenz. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Thaxton, Virgnia, USA. Date: 3 March, 2022. Lorenzo found this larva on a nice spring day: “66°F, and it's sparse clouds with a chance of rain.” |
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Lampyridae, the fireflies or lightningbugs
Black firefly, Lucidota atra, subfamily Lampyrinae, family Lampyridae. □ This black firefly has a colorful yellow, red and black pronotum (the shield covering its thorax). When it flies, its black elytra (the hard forewings) spread to the sides, revealing its membranous flight wings. The flight wings unfold to take it into the air. Photographed by: Debby Wright. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Waterford, Michigan, USA. Date: 9 June, 2020. Debby says, “Oh my goodness. I love fireflies.” |
Black firefly, Lucidota atra, subfamily Lampyrinae, family Lampyridae. □ Often, the best way to distinguish similar-looking firefly species is by the flash pattern, but some adult fireflies are active during the day and do not flash. That includes the black firefly, so males find females for mating by following pheromones that she emits. Photographed by: Dave Hare. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Haliburton, Ontario, Canada. Date: 29 June, 2022. |
Big dipper firefly, Photinus pyralis, subfamily Lampyrinae, family Lampyridae. □ Big dipper fireflies have black elytra (the forewings that cover most of their backs) with cream-colored outlines around each. The pronotum (the shield covering its thorax) has a large pink blotch with a black center. See the underside of this insect elsewhere on this page. Photographed by: Margaret Molyson. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Georgia, USA. Date: 10 August, 2019. |
Big dipper firefly, Photinus pyralis, subfamily Lampyrinae, family Lampyridae. □ Big dipper fireflies have a large white band on their abdomens, as shown in this photo. It is quite a lovely insect from top and bottom! Photographed and identified as a firefly by: Cheryl Ellis. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Howell, Michigan, USA. Date: July, 2019. |
Glow-worm, Lampyris noctiluca, male, subfamily Lampyrinae, family Lampyridae. □ In England, where this photo was taken, fireflies/lightning bugs are known as glow-worms, which refers to the female’s appearance: she looks like rather like a caterpillar with an armor back, and she is able to glow. The photo here is an adult male. To see the glowing adult female, click here (woodlandtrust.org). Photographed by: Patrik Jano. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Leeds, England, UK. Date: 31 May, 2023. |
Those fireflies that light up do so using a process called bioluminescence, in which an abdominal organ mixes a chemical (luciferin) with enzymes (luciferases), a little oxygen and bit of cellular energy (adenosine triphosphate or ATP). |
Larva of a firefly, possibly in the genus Lamprigera, subfamily Lampyrinae, family Lampyridae. □ This larva is shown curled up. Such a posture helps to protect the softer underside of the insect from predators. Photographed by: K J Westman. Identified to family by: Audrey Maran. Thank you, Audrey! Tentatively identified to genus by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Nitulemada, Digana, Rajawella, Kandy, Sri Lanka. Date: 11 July, 2014. |
Either a larva of a firefly, family Lampyridae OR of a net-winged beetle, family Lycidae. □ Even though fireflies and net-winged beetles are in two separate families, their larvae are essentially indistinguishable. Either way, this is a cool larva ... and check out that retractable head! Photographed by: Eric Smith. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Hoover, Alabama, USA. Date: 8 February, 2017. |
Phengodidae, the glowworm beetles
Phengodes plumosa (no specific common name), male, subfamily Phengodinae, family Phengodidae. □ Male glowworm beetles have amazing, comb-like (pectinate) antennae, as seen in this photo of Phengodes plumosa. The female, shown elsewhere on this page, looks quite different ... and glows in the dark! Photographed by: Jill Roberts. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Milledgeville, Georgia, USA. Date: 30 June, 2017. Jill says, “It is the weirdest bug I’ve ever seen around these parts.” KnowYourInsects.org says, “We love ‘weird’!” |
Glowworm beetle, male, in the genus Phengodes, subfamily Phengodinae, family Phengodidae. □ When not flying, typical beetles have large elytra (hardened forewings) that cover the membranous flight wings beneath. The male glowworm beetle has very small elytra — difficult to even see in this photograph — so the membranous flight wings are in plain view. Photographed by: Jordan Ivy. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Texas, USA. Date: 15 July, 2019. |
Glowworm beetle in the genus Phengodes, male, subfamily Phengodinae, family Phengodidae. □ This adult male glowworm beetle may be the species Phengodes fusciceps (no specific common name), which has a characteristically dark head, as seen here. Photographed by: Sherri Morse. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Etowah County, Alabama, USA. Date: 16 May, 2023. Sherri says, “This insect flew in my window. I have never seen it before.” |
Glowworm beetle in the genus Phengodes, adult female or a larva, subfamily Phengodinae, family Phengodidae. □ The adult female and the larvae of glowworm beetles in this genus (Phengodes) look much alike, so this could be either one. The females are seen more often than the larvae, so this is likely an adult female. Photographed by: Michelle Hicks. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. Date: 31 May, 2019. |
Buprestidae, the metallic wood-boring beetles
Flat-headed hardwood borer, Dicerca divaricata, subfamily Chrysochroinae, family Buprestidae. □ The genus name of the flat-headed hardwood borer (Dicerca) refers to the ends of the elytra (the wings covering its back): each wing has a blunted point, and the two diverge a bit — rather like a tuxedo jacket with tails. Photographed by: Victoria McCracken. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Binghamton, New York, USA. Date: 22 May, 2022. |
Flatheaded poplar borer, Dicerca tenebrica, subfamily Chrysochroinae, family Buprestidae. □ The flatheaded poplar beetle has two small, parallel bumps at the rear of its elytra (the hardened forewings covering most of its back) — one is just visible on the beetle’s left elytra in this photo. To see a close-up of the bumps, click here (Idaho Fish and Game). Photographed by: Ivana Striebel. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: near Shadehill Dam, South Dakota, USA. Date: 13 July, 2022. |
A flat-headed borer, either a flat-headed hardwood borer, Dicerca divaricata, or flat-headed poplar borer, Dicerca tenebrica), subfamily Chrysochroinae, family Buprestidae. □ The metallic color the flat-headed hardwood borer and the flat-headed poplar borer range from more of a copper/brown-gray color to a bluish tone (like this one). The two species are nearly identical. Photographed by: Hannah Lipshutz. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Rochester, New York, USA. Date: 28 May, 2017. |
A flat-headed borer, either a flat-headed hardwood borer, Dicerca divaricata, or flat-headed poplar borer, Dicerca tenebrica), subfamily Chrysochroinae, family Buprestidae. Photographed by: Maeve Pernot. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Accord, New York, USA. Date: 21 May, 2018. Maeve says, “This insect came to say hi to me today: It just flew over and landed on my finger! It looked brownish-gray with a gold sheen.” |
A flat-headed borer, either a flat-headed hardwood borer, Dicerca divaricata, or flat-headed poplar borer, Dicerca tenebrica), subfamily Chrysochroinae, family Buprestidae. □ The genus name of these flat-headed hardwood borers is Dicerca, which means two horns. This refers to the narrow tip on the elytra (the wings covering most of its back). Photographed and identified by: Molly Fitzgerald. Nice ID, Molly! Location: Grand Rapids Michigan, USA. Date: 25 May, 2020. Molly says, “I took a picture of this beetle that I believe to be a flat-headed hardwood borer thanks to your website!” KnowYourInsects.org says, “Very cool!” |
Oedisterna cuprea (no specific common name), subfamily Chrysochroinae, family Buprestidae. □ Oedisterna cuprea is a metallic wood-boring beetles that has a shiny copper color with a mottled pattern on its head and side flares on the pronotum (the shield covering its thorax). Depending on the lighting, it may look red or even slightly green. Photographed by: Lana Celliers. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org Location: Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa. Date: 3 October, 2021. |
Giant metallic ceiba borer, Euchroma giganteum, subfamily Chrysochroinae, family Buprestidae. □ The giant metallic ceiba borer is a 2- to 3-inch-long (2.5-7.5 cm) beetle, and its larvae can be twice the size of the adults. As seen here, the adult has sculptured elytra (the forewings covering its back) that are metallic green with a rosy/purple blush, and it has two large, black spots on its pronotum (the shield covering its thorax). Photographed by: Stef Stevens. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org Location: Panama. Date: 27 December, 2020. Stef found this beauty in the garden. |
Peach borer, also known as a peach flat-headed rootborer, Capnodis tenebrionis, subfamily Chrysochroinae, family Buprestidae. □ Quite striking in black and white, this peach borer is not only a pest of young stone fruit trees, including peaches, apricots and plums, but also almonds. The adults nibble at the bark of young shoots, as well as the leaf buds and petioles (leaf stems), and can cause considerable damage to newly planted trees. The larvae of these beetles also infest tree roots. Photographed by: Yanni Petropoulos. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: mainland of southwest Greece. Date: 26 October, 2021. |
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Why do some beetles have a shiny appearance? Tiny structures in the surface trap and redirect certain wavelengths of light, causing different colors to eminate from different angles. For more details, click here (The Scientist magazine). |
Red-legged buprestis, Buprestis rufipes, subfamily Buprestinae, family Buprestidae. □The red-legged buprestis has characteristic yellow markings and, of course, red legs! The photo at right shows the beetle with its elytra (the forewings covering its back) partially open, displaying the membranous hindwings beneath them. □ The larvae of this species tunnel under the bark in dead or dying hardwood trees. Photographed and identified to order by: April Christie. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Chalfont, Pennsylvania, USA. Date: 11 April, 2019. April says, “Kind of resembles similarities of a snapping beetle; the colors are vibrant.” |
Red-legged buprestis, Buprestis rufipes, subfamily Buprestinae, family Buprestidae. □The red-legged buprestis has red legs, but the green of its head and pronotum (the shield covering its thorax) are even more noticeable. Photographed and identified by: Maggie Merriman. Nice job, Maggie! Location: Ringgold, Georgia, USA. Date: 23 June, 2020. Maggie says, “I think I have the insect name correct, but he was just a pretty little front porch visitor :-).” |
Pink-faced jewel beetle, Buprestis lyrata, subfamily Buprestinae, family Buprestidae. □ This pink-faced jewel beetle has a pinkish or orangish blush, as shown here. It is typically found on a dead or dying Douglas fir or other pine trees, so it helps with forest regeneration. Photographed by: Linda Evans Thörnqvist. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Crystal Lake, Oregon, USA. Date: 16 August, 2019. Linda says, “We saw numerous of these beetles on a tree trunk,” which she later identified as a pine tree trunk. |
Striated borer, Buprestis striata, subfamily Buprestinae, family Buprestidae. □The ridges on the elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen) of this striated borer are evident in this photo. Photographed and identified by: Leslie Mertz. Location: Otsego Township, Gaylord, Michigan, USA. Date: 18 July, 2017. Leslie says, “Although it does not show up perfectly in this photo, this beetle was a bronze metallic color with reddish metallic stripes running down the back.” |
Buprestis laeviventris (no specific common name), subfamily Buprestinae, family Buprestidae. □ Buprestis laeviventris has lovely bronze markings on a deep-green background. Photographed by: Shelli St. Clair. Identified to family by: Kelly McKinne (@gonzonaturalist). Identified to species by: Michael S. Caterino of Clemson University. Thank you to Kelly and Dr. Caterino! Location: Sonora, California, USA. Date: 10 June, 2016. Shelli says, “This flew into my hair today! I’ve never seen one like it before. Beautiful, isn't it?” |
Golden bupestrid, Buprestis aurulenta, subfamily Buprestinae, family Buprestidae. □ This golden buprestid is stunning in shimmering green with a thin copper outline around each of its elytra (the hard wings covering its back). See the story behind this photo below. Photographed and identified to family by: Denise. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Western foothills of Tahoe at about 3,300 ft. elevation, northern California, USA. Date: 1 June, 2019. Denise says, “It is a gorgeous iridescent color all over. The underwings are copper and the underbody is also greenish-copper with strong iridescent sheen. The beetle caught my eye as it flew by and landed on white metal siding. Have never seen these beetles in the area before.” |
Belionota prasina (no specific common name), subfamily Buprestinae, family Buprestidae. □ The green band and pair of orangish-pink triangles are readily seen in this Belionota prasina, but not all members of the species are so vividly marked. These beetles are sometimes seen on mango trees. Photographed by: Sarah Park. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Bangui, Central African Republic. Date: November, 2021. Sarah said is was about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) long. |
Cypress jewel beetle, Ovalisia festiva, subfamily Buprestinae, family Buprestidae. □ The Cypress jewel beetle only recently become a pest of cypress and other related evergreens in Portugal, where this photo was taken, and surrounding countries. To learn more about this beetle click here (Forest Pests Europe). Photographed by: Tiago Neto. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Gondomar, Porto, Portugal. Date: 16 June, 2019. | |
Acmaeodera tubulus (no specific common name), subfamily Polycestinae, family Buprestidae. □ With shimmers of purple and green on its head and pronotum (the shield covering its thorax), a covering of setae (insect “hairs”) on its elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen), and the series of yellow markings, Acmaeodera tubulus is yet another very attractive bupestrid beetle. Photographed and identified to genus by: Christopher Barger. Location: East Tennessee, USA. Date: 16 April, 2020. |
Acmaeodera mixta (no specific common name), subfamily Polycestinae, family Buprestidae. □ Acmaeodera mixta is quite a variable species of jewel beetle. Most individuals have elytra with various patterns of yellow and bronze markings, but some have completely bronze elytra. To see some of the variety, click here (BugGuide). Robert E. Carpenter. See Robert’s slow-motion insect videos here. Location: Mitchel Lake in Bexar County near San Antonio, Texas, USA. Date: 3 July, 2021. Robert spotted it on wild violet petunia (Ruellia nudiflora). |
With their shiny appearance, it is easy to see why many beetles in the Buprestidae family are called jewel beetles. |
Western sculptured pine borer, Chalcophora angulicollis, subfamily Chrysochroinae, family Buprestidae. □ The dark pattern on the back of the western sculptured pine borer is raised. When viewed in person, it almost looks as if it was carved. Photographed by: Don Jahns. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Underwood, Washington, USA. Date: 12 July, 2019. |
Flat-headed pine borer, Chalcophora mariana massiliensis, subfamily Chrysochroinae, family Buprestidae. □ Depending on the light, this flat-headed pine borer is quite a shiny beetle that may show off coppery, greenish and pinkish hues. Photographed by: Serena James. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Var, south of France. Date: 4 June, 2020. |
Flat-headed pine borer, Chalcophora mariana massiliensis, subfamily Chrysochroinae, family Buprestidae. □ One of the many species of metallic wood-boring beetles (also called jewel beetles), this flat-headed pine borer has somewhat parallel, black striping down its back. It mainly eats rotting wood. □ This species has gone through some changes in its scientific name, so it so it may be listed as Chalcophora mariana, Chalcophora mariana massiliensis or Chalcophora massiliensis. Photographed by: Julie Lathan. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: central Italy. Date: 1 July, 2019. |
Sculptured pine borer, Chalcophora virginiensis, subfamily Chrysochroinae, family Buprestidae. □ The sculptured pine borer’s name comes from the bumps and grooves on its elytra (the hardened forewings that cover most of its back), and from its larvae that feed on the wood of pine trees. Most of its life is spent as a larva (2-3 years). Some adults show much more copper color, but others (like this one) are more black and gray. Photographed by: Lauren Marion. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: central Florida, USA. Date: 2 January 2022. |
A metallic wood-boring beetle in the genus Chalcophora, subfamily Chrysochroinae, family Buprestidae. □ Adult metallic wood-boring beetles are good fliers and can often be seen during the day on logs or stumps (we at KnowYourInsects.org have had them land on our clothes). Many insects are fairly quiet on summer days, but not the metallic wood-boring beetles — they are busy zipping around even in the hottest weather. This may be Chalcophora fortis, which is one of larger members of this species: 1-1.25 inches (2.5-3.5 cm) in body length. Photographed and identified by: Anna Mantle. Nice ID, Anna! Location: Ontario, Canada. Date: 19 June 2020. |
A metallic wood-boring beetle in the genus Julodis, possibly Julodis syriaca, subfamily Julodinae, family Buprestidae. □ This metallic wood-boring beetle has rows of spots along its elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen) with the rows separated by longitudinal stripes (faintly seen in right photo). It also has numerous long setae (insect “hairs”) extending down from its body (obvious in left photo). Photographed by: Sparrow Morgan. Identified to genus and tentative species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Umm al Rasas, Jordan. Date: 14 January, 2020. Sparrow says its body was about as long as a nickel is wide. |
A buprestid beetle, family Buprestidae. Photographed by: Charles Lerable. Identified to family by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Monterey, California, USA. Date: 10 September, 2016. Charles says, “This insect’s size is approximately 0.7 inches (1.8 cm) and appears to have wings, although I have not observed them flying.... They appear all seasons and are visible day and night.” |
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Byrrhidae, the moss beetles
A callirhipid beetle in the genus Callirhipis, subfamily Callirhipinae, family Callirhipidae. □ The fanned (pectinate) antennae on this callirhipid beetle are nothing short of spectacular. Click on the photos to zoom in and see the detail. In fact, beetles in this family are sometimes called feather-horned beetles. Select species in few other families of insects also have amazing antennae, such as the cicada parasite beetles (family Rhipiceridae), the glow worm beetles (family Phengodidae), and even some scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae), such as the 10-Lined June beetle (Polyphylla decemlineata). Photographed and identified by: Mettle Brahma, a student of zoology. Great job with the identification, Mettle! Location: Kokrajhar, Assam, India. Date: 30 April, 2020. |
A callirhipid beetle in the genus Callirhipis, subfamily Callirhipinae, family Callirhipidae. □ This callirhipid beetle, which was photographed in Thailand, has much-reduced antennae compared to the other callirhipid beetle pictured on this page. The photographer noted its similar appearance to a North American species, pictured here (BugGuide). Photographed and identified to family by: Eric Blehaut. Nicely done, Eric! Location: Bang Krang, Nonthaburi, Thailand. Date: 8 June, 2022. |
Silphidae, the carrion beetles
Nicrophorus sayi (no specific common name), subfamily Nicrophorinae, family Silphidae. □ Nicrophorus sayi is one species of burying beetles, or carrion beetles. They will dig under a dead animal, such as a mouse, and once the mouse has fallen far enough into the hole, they will bury it. Female beetles then lay their eggs in the dead animal, the eggs eventually hatch into larvae that have a ready meal waiting for them in the animal carcass. □ Look for the tiny red mites (closeup at right). The mites will ride on the beetle to a dead animal, then hop off when the beetle arrives at a dead animal. Why do the mites do it? The mites find tasty maggots on the dead animal! Photographed by: Mike Bloodsworth. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Eastern Texas, USA. Date: 11 April, 2017. Mike says he noticed eight mites on the beetle. He adds, “I took several shots of it at the time, and then another one about 30 minutes later and all of the mites were gone.” |
Nicrophorus defodiens (no specific common name), subfamily Nicrophorinae, family Silphidae. □ Nicrophorus defodiens is almost a perfect match for the red-and-black-banded sexton burying beetle (pictured elsewhere on this page). Two differences are that the sexton burying beetle has all-black antennae (no dark-red tips);, and a red patch at the rear of each of its elytra that is completely surrounded by black. Photographed and identified to order by: Dave Delman. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Yellowstone National Park, U.S. Date: 4 July, 2017. |
Nicrophorus defodiens (no specific common name), subfamily Nicrophorinae, family Silphidae. □ Nicrophorus defodiens may have large orange, somewhat zigzag-shaped blotches on their elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen), as seen in another photo on this page, or small orange spots, as seen here. Its abdomen extends beyond the elytra, but this one is holding its abdomen tucked under. Photographed and identified to order by: Andrea Wilson. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Date: 8 August, 2023. This beetle visited Andrea on her bed one night, disappeared under intense scrutiny by her dogs, and then reappeared the following morning on a window sill. She says, “I put him outside and took this photo.” |
Pustulated carrion beetle, Nicrophorus pustulatus, subfamily Nicrophorinae, family Silphidae. □ Characteristic features of the pustulated carrion beetle include: short elytra (the hardened forewings) with orange/red spots as seen here, and antennae with orange/red tips. (The red spots near the head are actually mites, and not part of the beetle.) Photographed by: F.M. “Mike” Kraemer III. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, USA. Date: 6 June, 2020. Mike found this beetle caught in carpenter bee trap. He says, “I see a lot of odd bugs that have likely been around for years. When I was younger, I just ignored them or swatted them. Now that I’m retired, I have time to look at nature more closely... and appreciate what’s out there.” | 
□ The pustulated carrion beetle has an unusual relationship with snakes. Researchers found that the eggs of rat snakes (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) are often full of the larvae of these beetles, which can destroy every single egg in the nest. To read about the finding, click here (the journal Ecoscience). |
American carrion beetle, Necrophila americana, subfamily Silphinae, family Silphidae. □ Both the adult of the American carrion beetle and its larvae eat dead animals, but they do sometimes supplement their diet by snacking on rotting fruit. In other words, they are on the planet’s cleanup crew. Photographed and identified by: Leslie Bax. Nice ID, Leslie! Location: Ashland, Hanover County, Virginia, USA. Date: 18 July, 2021. Leslie says, “I had difficulty coming up with an identification until I found your website. It is very informative and the photos really aid in identification.” KnowYourInsects.org says, “So glad to hear it!” |
American carrion beetle, Necrophila americana, subfamily Silphinae, family Silphidae. □ Even though American carrion beetles may not look it with their big bodies, they are good fliers. The right photo of this beetle gives a nice close-up view of its mouthparts. Photographed and identified by: Colleen MacCulloch. Nice ID, Colleen! Location: Martintown, Ontario, Canada. Date: 24 August, 2022. |
American carrion beetle, Necrophila americana, subfamily Silphinae, family Silphidae. □ The American carrion beetle is sometimes called a burying beetle: It excavates dirt beneath a dead animal, which slowly lowers the animal into the ground. The beetle adds dirt on top, and effectively buries the animal. Photographed by: Dan Ellis. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Arlington, Virginia, USA. Date: 4 July, 2021. |
American carrion beetle, Necrophila americana, subfamily Silphinae, family Silphidae. □ This American carrion beetle has a distinctive pale yellow pronotum (the shield covering its thorax) with a black splotch in the center. □ Note: This beetle was once listed as being in the Silpha genus. Photographed by: Janie Smyser. Submitted by: Janie’s husband Chuck. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: York County, Pennsylvania, U.S. Date: 14 July, 2019. |
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By burying a dead animal, carrion beetles keep the animal moist and also protected from predators. Both are good for the beetle young, which feast on the dead animal. |
Nicrophorus argutor (no specific common name), subfamily Nicrophorinae, family Silphidae. □ Nicrophorus argutor has maroon or dark-brown markings on a black background, and a black pronotum (the shield covering its thorax) that has a flared, flattened border. Note: The beige circle at the upper-right behind the pronotum is an insect pin and not part of the insect itself. Photographed and identified to order by: Ulzii Bayar. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Mongolia. Date: 7 October, 2019. |
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Imperial rove beetle, Staphylinus caesareus, subfamily Staphylininae, family Staphylinidae. □ The imperial rove beetle has reddish-brown elytra, a black abdomen with white markings, and a black scutellum (the triangle at between the front of the elytra). A very similar-looking rove beetle is the species Staphylinus erythropterus (no specific common name), which is pictured elsewhere on this page. Photographed by: Yodfat. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: West Swiss, Europe. Date: 29 March, 2017. Yodfat says, “I actually saw him on my window, which is in full sun and (on the) second floor above a busy road.” |
A rove beetle, likely Staphylinus erythropterus (no specific common name), subfamily Staphylininae, family Staphylinidae. □ The color of the scutellum helps to identify Staphylinus erythropterus. The scutellum is the small triangle (see arrow) behind the pronotum/thorax. Staphylinus erythropterus has a light-colored scutellum, while the very similar-looking imperial rove beetle (Staphylinus caesarus has a black scutellum. Photographed by: Oliver Davies. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: South Wales, UK. Date: 27 August, 2017. Oliver found this beetle in his dog’s pen. |
Platydracus immaculatus (no specific common name), subfamily Staphylininae, family Staphylinidae. □ This pretty Platydracus immaculatus is a mix of reddish-brown, dark brown, yellowish-tan and black. The light-colored spots on its abdomen, along with the red-brown head and elytra (the forewings, which are short in this species) help to identify it. Photographed by: Shirley Faust. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Andreas, Pennsylvania, USA. Date: 26 September, 2018. |
A devil’s coach horse beetle in the genus Ocypus, subfamily Staphylininae, family Staphylinidae. □ Devil’s coach horse beetle: What a wild name! Note the small elytra (forewings) that extend a short way down its abdomen. Beneath the elytra are much-folded flight wings. Short elytra are common features of this and other species in the overall rove beetle/Staphylinidae family. Photographed and identified by: Neil Harris-Hutchins. Nice ID, Neil! Location: Bratton Fleming, North Devon, England. Date: 5 September, 2016. KnowYourInsects.org says, “Great job on the ID, Neil!” |
A devil’s coach horse beetle in the genus Ocypus, subfamily Staphylininae, family Staphylinidae. □ Devil’s coach horse beetles will often strut around with their abdomens curled up like this, something that is possible because of the short elytra (hardened forewings). Most other beetles have longer elytra that must be spread for the abdomen to curl upward. Submitted by: Sandra Cole. Photographed by: Andrew Knight. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Portland, Oregon, USA. Date: 10 October, 2018. Sandra says, “Large, black, six-legged thing found in wastewater plant.” |
A devil’s coach horse beetle in the genus Ocypus, possibly Ocypus curtipennis (no specific common name), subfamily Staphylininae, family Staphylinidae. □ Devil’s coach horse beetles are known for their powerful jaws. Combined with their rather quick speed, they are formidable predators of all sorts of invertebrates, including slugs, worms and many other invertebrates. Photographed by: Yanni Petropoulos. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: southern Greece. Data: 18 May, 2020. |
 Brown rove beetle, Platydracus maculosus, subfamily Staphylininae, family Staphylinidae. □ This photo of a brown rove beetle gives a rare glimpse of the beetle’s filmy hindwings peeking out from behind the short, hard forewings (called elytra). This cool beetle was found on the playground of a middle school — specifically Westfield Day School — by classmates Cole and Brian. Thanks to Mrs. De Silva and her whole class! Photographed by: Shiromi De Silva. Identified by: Dr. Al Newton, curator emeritus, the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. Thank you, Dr. Newton! Location: Armonk, New York, USA. Date: 2 November, 2017. |
 Brown rove beetle, Platydracus maculosus, subfamily Staphylininae, family Staphylinidae. □ The brown rove beetle is the largest member of this family (the rove beetles) in the United States, according to the identifier Dr. Al Newton. They can reach about an inch (2.5 cm) long. A similar-looking species known as a gold-and-brown rove beetle (Ontholestes cingulatus) reaches up to 0.8 inches (2.0 cm) long. □ Rove beetles will often curl up the hind end, much like a scorpion, as seen in the photo at right. Photographed by: Stephen J. Taylor. Identified by: Dr. Al Newton, curator emeritus, the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. Thank you, Dr. Newton! Location: Lake Orion, Michigan, USA. Date: 23 October, 2016. Stephen says, “I’m glad I let him be. Wasn’t sure if it was some kind of queen termite or something!” |
Brown rove beetle, Platydracus maculosus, subfamily Staphylininae, family Staphylinidae. □ The photographer videotaped a battle between this brown rove beetle and Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica), and these images are screen grabs from the video. See the photographer’s comment below. Photographed and identified as a Japanese beetle by: Sharon VanLoozenoord. Rove beetle identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Belmont, Michigan, USA. Date: 14 July, 2018. Sharon witnessed the fight among some wood chips in her herb garden. On the following day, she reported, “I was in my herb garden again this morning and looked for another ‘fight,’ but I’ll probably never see that again.” |
 Brown rove beetle, Platydracus maculosus, subfamily Staphylininae, family Staphylinidae. □ The photographer estimated the size of this brown rove beetle to be 1.5 inches (7.5 cm). Photographed and identified by: “Lurch Addams” Nice job on the ID, Lurch :-). Location: West Tennessee, USA. Date: 2 November, 2017. |
A rove beetle in the genus Platydracus, subfamily Staphylininae, family Staphylinidae. □ This genus name of this rove beetle is Platydracus, which literally means “flat dragon,” and its body is quite flat. This specimen has a large head, short elytra (the pair of forewings that cover about a third of its abdomen), and a red tip on its abdomen. Photographed by: Mateus Mureb de Mattos Fernandes. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Date: 27 February, 2020. Mateus found it in the kitchen. |
 Hairy rove beetle, Creophilus maxillosus, subfamily Staphylininae, family Staphylinidae. □ The hairy rove beetle is an inch (2.5 cm) long, and has setae (hairs) on much of its body. Notice the membranous hindwings poking from beneath the short elytra (hard forewings). Photographed by: Mary Beth Barenborg. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Identification verified by entomologist Frank Carle of Rutgers University. Thank you, Dr. Carle! Location: Trenton, New Jersey, USA. Date: 21 August, 2017. Mary Beth says she found two in her house — one in a bowl sitting on the kitchen counter, and another that dropped in (literally) from the ceiling light fixture “and landed on the center of the table!” |
 Hairy rove beetle, Creophilus maxillosus, subfamily Staphylininae, family Staphylinidae. □ The hairy rove beetle has chemical-secreting sacs near the rear of the abdomen. The beetle releases the chemical as a defensive tactic, as the photographer discovered — see the comment below. Photographed by: Oleg Lisak. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: central Israel. Date: 15 May, 2022. Oleg says, “This insect spat some kind of liquid, while it sat on my kitchen table. It was kinda cool, but my wife really freaked out by this and cleaned the table very thoroughly after this :).” |
Tachyporus hypnorum (no specific common name), subfamily Tachyporinae, family Staphylinidae. □ An unusual-looking beetle, Tachyporus hypnorum only measures about 4 mm (0.16 inches) long. Compare that to the devil’s coach horse beetle and imperial rove beetle (pictured elsewhere on this page), which both grow to around 2.5 cm (1 inch) long. Photographed by: Ben Dobson, aka The Microscope Man for his microscope-aided photography. Identified by: Mark Telfer. Thank you, Mark! Location: Cambridge, UK. Date: 4 August, 2017. Ben says, “I found it in on an old log. I’ve used a microscope to photograph (this is a serious hobby).” KnowYourInsects.org says, “Cool hobby!” |
Unidentified rove beetle, larva, family Staphylinidae. □ The two spiky, tail-like appendages (called urogomphi) identify this as a beetle larva. Two beetle families have larvae that look almost alike: the rove beetles (Staphylinidae) and the ground beetles (Carabidae). One of the differences between them is in the number of segments in the “shin” (tibia). If there is only one segment, it is a larva of a rove beetle. Photographed by: Thomas Langhans. See Thomas’s full-size image here. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: San Bruno, county of San Mateo, California, USA. Date: 7 February, 2018. Thomas says it was about 2.2 cm (0.85 inches) long. |
Unidentified rove beetle probably in the subfamily Paederinae, larva, family Staphylinidae. Photographed by: Stefan Toft Christensen. Identified by: Alexey Solodovnikov of the Biosystematics Department at the Natural History Museum of Denmark. Thank you, Dr. Solodovnikov! Location: Northjutland, Denmark. Date: 2 October, 2018. Stefan says he found this creature in his house, and believes it came in when he brought his garden plants inside the previous day. |
Histeridae, the hister and clown beetles
Hydrophilidae, the water scavenger beetles
A giant water scavenger beetle in the genus Hydrophilus, subfamily Hydrophilinae, family Hydrophilidae. □ Giant water scavenger beetles are diving insects. How do they breathe underwater? They trap a bubble of air under their elytra (the hardened wings that cover their backs). It is an insect version of a scuba tank! Photographed by: John Link. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org Location: Courtland, Virginia, USA. Date: 3 June, 2017. |
Unidentified water scavenger beetle, family Hydrophilidae. □ A variety of insects, such as dragonflies, damselflies and caddisflies, live underwater in their immature forms, but water scavenger beetles are some of the few insects that can live underwater as adults. Photographed by: Marv Goldberg. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: near Tamarac, Florida, USA. Date: 8 June, 2022. Marv says, “This is one of my success stories. He was on his back with his little legs kicking furiously. I righted him, snapped some photos, and rushed him off to the nearest animal rescue center. He’s now up for adoption if you’re interested.” |
Many insects have noticeable maxillary palps, which are appendages that extend from the mouth area and provide sensory information, but in water scavengers, the maxillary palps are especially long — longer even than the antennae. |
Ptinidae, the death-watch and spider beetles (includes former Anobiidae family)
A spider beetle, probably a smooth spider beetle, Gibbium aequinoctiale, subfamily Ptininae, family Ptinidae. □ The smooth spider beetle looks rather similar to a red mite. Both are tiny with bead-like, red bodies. The spider beetle has only six legs, while the mite has eight ... but the long antennae on a spider beetle can almost look like an extra pair of legs, which adds to the confusion. For a close-up view of a smooth spider beetle, click here (BugGuide). Photographed by: Janet Madison. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA. Date: 4 March, 2020. Janet says, “Found it on a towel as I was loading laundry in the washer.” |
Shiny spider beetle, Mezium affine, subfamily Ptininae, family Ptinidae. □ The shiny spider beetle has a shiny, dark, bulbous abdomen, and a tan pronotum (the shield covering its thorax) with a few ridges on it. Spider beetles eat flour, bits of fuzz, and other little non-living items they come across. They are nocturnal and are attracted to moisture (see the photographer’s comment below). Photographed by: Kristian Reimer. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Date: 5 June, 2021. Janet says, “I found it in my bathtub. It was unable to crawl out.” |
Drug store beetle, also known as a biscuit beetle in the United Kingdom, Stegobium paniceum, subfamily Anobiinae, family Ptinidae. □ The drug store beetle is a tiny brown beetle with a large pronotum (the shield covering its thorax). This species is common in homes, where it gets into grains and just about anything else, including prescription drugs (which is where the “drug store” part of its name is derived). It is a pest almost everywhere in the world. For more information about these beetles and to see its larvae, click here (University of Florida). □ Note: The subfamily Anobiinae was once classified as a family (Anobiidae), and is sometimes still listed as such. Photographed by: Steve Owczarek. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Shelby Township, Michigan, USA. Date: 9 February, 2020. |
Dermestidae, the dermestid or skin beetles
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The family name Dermestidae contains the Greek root word derma, which means skin or hide. Many species in this family feed on dead skin or hides, and can be quite a problem for museum animal collections. |
Anthrenus lepidus (no specific common name), subfamily Attageninae, family Dermestidae. □ This family contains several species called carpet beetles. Anthrenus lepidus is one of the more rarely seen species, likely because it spends more of its time outdoors instead of in people’s houses. Photographed by: Addison O. Submitted by: Ernie O. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Aurora, Colorado, USA. Date: 15 December, 2020. |
Varied carpet beetle, Anthrenus verbasci, subfamily Megatominae, family Dermestidae. □ The quarter illustrates the small size of these pretty little varied carpet beetles. The larvae are shown elsewhere on this page. Photographed by: Carey Ann Atherton. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Owensboro, Kentucky, USA. Date: 3 April, 2018. Carey Ann says, “These images were taken at night (around 10 p.m.).” |
Varied carpet beetle, Anthrenus verbasci, subfamily Megatominae, family Dermestidae. □ This photo shows the pair of filmy, membranous hindwings just peeking out from the rear of this varied carpet beetle. Normally, these membranous wings are folded up and stored unseen beneath the zig-zag patterned forewings (called elytra), which cover most of the beetle’s back. Photographed by: Will Plemmons. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. Date: 4 May, 2019. Will described this beetle as about the size of a BB. |
Scarabaeidae, the scarab beetles
Dark flower scarab, Euphoria sepulcralis, subfamily Cetoniinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ This dark flower scarab is quite dark in overall color and has a scattering of short setae (insect “hairs”) on its pronotum (the shield covering its thorax). The sculpted ridges on the elytra (the forewings covering its back) are quite prominent. □ These beetles are often found on ripe or overripe fruit, which is where this one was found (see the comment below). Photographed and identified to order by: Joe Kerwin. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Douglas County, Missouri. Date: 15 October, 2020. Joe says he found them on either Cherokee Purple or Brandywine tomatoes. |
Dark flower scarab, Euphoria sepulcralis, subfamily Cetoniinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ The dorsal and lateral views of this dark flower scarabs show yellow banding on the side of the abdomen, and a good crop of yellow setae (insect “hairs”) on the pronotum (the shield covering its thorax). It also has scattered setae (insect “hairs”) on its elytra (the hardened forewings covering much of its back), which somewhat obscure the ridges below. See the photographer’s tale below. Photographed by: Marv Goldberg. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: outside Tamrac, Florida. Date: 1 March, 2022. Marv found this beetle on a step and moved it to a bush, where he got these photos. Later that evening, the beetle was still there but barely moving. He says, “This morning, he was still there, but there was no movement. It’s odd that I should feel sad at the passing of an insect, but I do.” |
Kern’s flower scarab, Euphoria kernii, subfamily Cetoniinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ All three of the beetles shown here are the same species: Kern’s flower scarab. This is such a wonderful example of the variety! Be sure to see the photographer’s comment below. Photographed and identified by: Robert E. Carpenter. Excellent ID, Robert! See Robert’s slow-motion insect videos here. Location: Kerrville, Texas, USA. Date: 23 May, 2020. Robert says, “Springtime in South Texas: The prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) are covered with beautiful yellow blooms. About 20 percent of these flowers have one or more Kern’s flower scarabs (sometimes 10 or more) in them, feasting on the pollen.” |
Hermit flower beetle, Osmoderma eremicola, subfamily Cetoniinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ One of the largest beetles in the state of Iowa, where this photo was taken, the hermit flower beetle is more than an inch long. In fact, the photographer put its length at 3.5 cm (1.4 inches). These harmless, but large beetles will fly to lights at night. Photographed and identified to order by: Violetta. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Cherokee, Iowa, USA. Date: 31 July, 2019. |
Hermit flower beetle, Osmoderma eremicola, subfamily Cetoniinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ The hermit flower beetle looks quite similar to the scarab beetle Osmoderma scabra, but the hermit flower beetle has much smoother elytra (the forewings covering its back). □ The genus name Osmoderma means scented skin, which refers to the defensive odor this beetle releases. Some people think the odor smells like leather, so this beetle is sometimes called an odor-of-leather beetle or leather beetle. Photographed and identified by: Daniel DaSilva. Excellent ID, Daniel! Location: Québec, Canada. Date: 29 July, 2020. |
Flower beetle, possibly in the genus Osmoderma, subfamily Cetoniinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ This flower beetle has a slightly mottled black back. This individual is a little worse for the wear. Photographed and identified as a beetle by: Tifanie Talbert. Identified to tentative genus by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Date: 12 August, 2021. |
 Harlequin flower beetle, Gymnetis caseyi, subfamily Cetoniinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ The pattern on this harlequin flower beetle looks like a Rorschach ink blot. This is a typical pattern for this species, but some individuals lack the big black blot and instead only have scattered black speckles. Photographed by: Michael Toombs. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Fluvanna (southeast of Lubbock), Texas, USA. Date: 1 July, 2018. Mike says the beetles were “drinking the tree sap from a recently pruned red oak tree” on his farm. |
Green rose chafers, or simply flower chafers, mating pair, Cetonia aurata, subfamily Cetoniinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ This mating pair of green rose chafers are metallic dark-green with thin white squiggles and specks adorning their elytra (forewings covering its back). Click on the photo to zoom in and see the detail. Photographed by: Jean-Louis Metzger. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Anduze, in the Languedoc, France. Date: 29 April, 2014. Jean-Louis says, “ These two beetles — thanks to their striking luminescent green colour — caught my eye and my interest.” |
Green rose chafer, or simply flower chafer, Cetonia aurata, subfamily Cetoniinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ This green rose chafer is metallic green on its head and pronotum (the shield covering its thorax), and a soft bronze-gold on its elytra. The species has quite a variable appearance with some individuals being dark green often with small squiggles of white (seen elsewhere on this page), while others have no squiggles and instead come in shades of copper, blue, red or brown. Photographed and identified by: Yanni Patropolus. Excellent ID, Yanni! Location: mainland of southwestern Greece. Date: 23 June, 2020. Yanni says, “Quite common around here.” |
Zigzag fruit chafer, Anisorrhina flavomaculata, subfamily Cetoniinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ The zigzag fruit beetle has a prominent, black-outlined, yellow zigzag shape on its otherwise brown elytra (forewings covering its back). The remainder of the beetle is orange, except for the small black spots on its pronotum (the shield covering its thorax). Photographed by: Peter Buckle. Submitted by: Carla Buckle. Great teamwork, Peter and Carla! Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa. Date: 19 February, 2024. |
Spotted flower chafer, also known as a punctate flower chafer, Neorrhina punctatum, subfamily Cetoniinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ With prominent spots on its pronotum (the shield covering its thorax) and elytra (forewings covering its back), spotted flower beetle is an appropriate name for this insect. Photographed and identified by: Elsa Nopar. Excellent ID, Elsa! Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Date: 13 December, 2020. Elsa says, “We saw him flying around in a plant shop and it stopped briefly on the handle of our cart.” |
Flower chafer beetle, Clinteria klugi, subfamily Cetoniinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ This flower chafer beetle is pretty in orange on black, but some individuals have redder markings on black, or cream-colored markings on brown. The extent of the markings can also vary with some having small spots rather than the larger blotches seen here. Photographed and identified as to order by: Preeshja. Location: India. Date: 22 October, 2021. |
Maculate flower beetle, Gnorimella maculosa, subfamily Cetoniinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ The maculate flower beetle has light-colored speckles on its dark pronotum (the shield covering its thorax), and dark speckles on its light-colored elytra (the hard wings covering its abdomen). The elytra may range from orange or light brown to a deeper copper color (as seen elsewhere on this page). One of the striking features of this little beetle is its very yellow pygidium (the very rear bit of its abdomen), as seen above. Photographed by: Mark Shippy. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Okemos, Michigan, USA. Date: 9 March, 2020. Mark found it on the rug of his family room, and he and his family let it go outside. Great job spotting it and then releasing it, Shippy family! |
Maculate flower beetle, Gnorimella maculosa, subfamily Cetoniinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ Maculate flower beetles live around deciduous forests, where the adults feed on nectar from woodland plants, such as dogwood and roses. The larvae/grubs feed on rotting wood. It is sometimes called a maculated scarab (maculate is Latin for spotted). Photographed by: Louise Plank. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: South Cantral Pennsylvania, USA. Date: 6 April, 2022. Louise says, “It was difficult to get a good picture, because it wouldn’t stop walking!” |
A sun beetle, Pachnoda marginata (no specific common name), subfamily Cetoniinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ This Pachnoda marginata is dark brown with a cream border, and has a cream-colored band running through the back third of its elytra (the pair of hardened wings covering the abdomen). Others members of this species may have less banding, or a tan or reddish background color instead of dark brown. □ Sun beetles are generally about 2.5 cm (1 inch) long. Photographed by: Sarah Park. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Bangui, Central African Republic. Date: November, 2021. Unfortunately, this one was dead when Sarah found it. |
A sun beetle, Pachnoda savignyi (no specific common name), subfamily Cetoniinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ This sun beetle was photographed in Egypt. It looks very similar to another sun beetle species, which is found in central Africa. The central African species is Pachnoda marginata and shown elsewhere on this page. Photographed by: Sylvia Ismail. Submitted by: Adel Ismail.Nice teamwork, Sylvia and Adel! Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Cairo, Egypt. Date: 17 July, 2022. Sylvia and Adel spotted this lovely beetle on a new basil plant. |
| The Rutalinae subfamily of beetles are able to move the two claws at the end of each leg independently of one another. Most beetles can only move the claws in concert. To see a close-up of the claws, click here (Heath Blackmon’s Flickr page). |
Garden chafer, Phyllopertha horticola, subfamily Rutelinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ Garden chafers are often seen munching on flowers. This beetle, which grows to about 1.2 cm (half an inch), has brick-red elytra (the hardened forewings covering most of its back) that are covered with setae (insect “hairs”), as well as a pair of spines on the side of each foreleg. Photographed by: Bryan Wenham-Baker. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Ivybridge, South Hams, South Devon, England, UK. Date: 1 August, 2018. |
Oriental beetles, Exomala orientalis, subfamily Rutelinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ This is just a few of the hundreds of Oriental beetles that showed up in a beetle trap that the photographer set out in her yard the previous winter to catch Japanese beetles. The trap no longer had any lure in it, but the Oriental beetles still made their way in. Photographed by: Stella Markham. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Date: 10 June, 2021. Stella says, “I’ve got several beds growing with vigorous squashes, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, peas, carrots, leeks, and melons. I have not observed any of these on any of my plants, only in the trap.” |
Oriental beetle, Exomala orientalis, subfamily Rutelinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ With its antennae splayed, this Oriental beetle looks almost as if it is waving hello! Most individuals have a light-brown pronotum (the shield covering its thorax) with two big brown blotches, but some (as shown here) have an all-brown pronotum. For help if they become problematic in the garden, click here (North Carolina State University extension). Photographed by: Vic Ressey. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Alexandria, Virginia, USA. Date: 24 June, 2023. Vic found it on a Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) plant. |
Oriental beetle, Exomala orientalis, subfamily Rutelinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ The Oriental beetle has a pair of dark bars on its pronotum (the shield covering its thorax). This one has its antennae splayed out (see the photographer’s comment below). □ Its diet is plant roots, including the roots of lawn grass and vegetable crops. Photographed by: Sarah McKay-Mertz. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA. Date: 4 July, 2020. Sarah says, “Found this little guy in the Cape house’s yard. Neat markings, then I noticed he has antlers!” |
Oriental beetle, Exomala orientalis, subfamily Rutelinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ The Oriental beetle is native to Japan. It was first observed in the United States in 1920, when it was seen in Connecticut. It is now found from the northeastern United States to the Great Lakes region. Photographed by: Elizabeth Boyle. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: West Milford, New Jersey, USA. Date: 17 July, 2017. Elizabeth says, “It’s unbelievable how many strange insects I can find in my neck of the woods.” |
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Grapevine beetle, Pelidnota punctata, subfamily Rutelinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ With that reflection, this is just a cool photo of a grapevine beetle. This species is quite large with a body length of an inch (2.5 cm), sometimes a bit larger. Photographed by: Rebecca Shaver. Identified by: Rebecca and Andrew Shaver. Location: Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, USA. Date: 3 August, 2017. Rebecca took this photo of the beetle on the car roof. She adds, “It is injured. :(” |
Grapevine beetle, Pelidnota punctata, subfamily Rutelinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ Compare this grapevine beetle to others on this page. This one has reddish tones and quite-red legs, while others are more tan in color with black legs. Other common names for grapevine beetles incude spotted tan beetles or spotted Junebugs. The latter is misleading, however, because the name Junebug is also used for beetles in a different genus: Phyllophaga. Photographed and identified by: Randy Sanders. Nice job on the ID, Randy! Location: Grove, Oklahoma, USA. Date: 30 June, 2017. Randy says, “Beetle is sitting on a wooden bench just after storm.” |
Grapevine beetle, Pelidnota punctata, subfamily Rutelinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ Grapevine beetles are common in the eastern United States and in Ontario, although some extend farther west: to Texas and Oklahoma. Photographed and identified by: Kelly McKinne (@gonzonaturalist). Well done on the ID, Kelly! Location: northern Ohio, USA. Date: July, 2016. |
Grapevine beetle, Pelidnota punctata, subfamily Rutelinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ Female grapevine beetles lay their eggs by autumn. The larvae hatch out, overwinter in the ground, and emerge the following spring to start feeding. After going through pupation a month or so later, the adults emerge in mid-summer. Photographed and identified by: Judy Firestone. Nice job on the ID, Judy! Location: Oak Park, Oakland County, Michigan, USA. Date: 13 July, 2013. |
Grapevine beetle, Pelidnota punctata, subfamily Rutelinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ These two photos show a grapevine beetle with its elytra (forewings) spread, and the dark-brown hindwings and abdomen visible; and the underside. Be sure to check out the photographer’s comments below :-). Photographed and identified by: Kyle Lengerich. Well done on the ID, Kyle! Location: Greenwood, Indiana, USA. Date: 26 July, 2019. Kyle says, “So, I was out picking hops to make a sachet for the wife, and this thing fell out onto my bare foot. I won’t tell you what I yelled at the top of my lungs, but needless to say it startled me.” |
Goldsmith beetle, Cotalpa lanigera), subfamily Rutelinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ Considered uncommon, goldsmith beetles have no markings on their backs, except for dozens of tiny punctures on their elytra. A close look reveals that the head and pronotum (the shield covering its thorax) are a greenish-yellow while the elytra are more of a gray-tan hue. Adults munch on the leaves of oaks and a variety of other trees, while the larvae/grubs favor rotting wood. Photographed and identified by: Leslie Mertz. Location: Gaylord, Michigan, USA. Date: 30 May, 2018. Leslie says, “I found this beetle next to a small wooded area. I had never seen this species there before and have not seen another since.” |
| Adult Japanese beetles can be so numerous that it may seem they have few enemies, but a family of wasps will attack and kill the beetle’s larvae/grubs. To find out more, click here (KnowYourInsects.org wasp page). |
Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, subfamily Rutelinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ The Japanese beetle is native to Japan — surprise ;-) — and it was first identified in the northeastern United States, specifically New Jersey, in 1916. See the full story here (Rutgers University). It has since spread far and wide, and is now considered a huge pest in the United States, where it eats all kinds of garden plants as well as the roots of grass. Photographed and identified by: Leslie Mertz. Location: Otsego Township (near Gaylord), Michigan, USA. Date: 18 July, 2017. Leslie says, “It pays to look closely: I never realized that the white spots along the sides and back were little tufts of hair.” |
Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, subfamily Rutelinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ The Japanese beetle is quite an attractive beetle with metallic green and copper colors. This photo also shows the setae (insect “hairs”) blanketing its pronotum (the shield covering its thorax). Photographed and identified by: Christopher Barger. Well done on the ID, Christopher! Location: Eastern Tennessee, USA. Date: 12 June, 2020. |
Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, subfamily Rutelinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ This Japanese beetle has just a bit of its membranous flight wings poking up from beneath the rear of its copper-colored elytra. In flight, it will hold the elytra up and out of the way, so it can unfurl its flight wings and take to the sky. This one has probably just landed, and has not quite gotten its flight wings tucked away yet. Photographed by: Ahuva Over. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Monticello, New York, USA. Date: Summer, 2020. |
Popillia livida (no specific common name), subfamily Rutelinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ Popillia livida glimmers in blue-black, and has slightly textured elytra. It is sometimes called a blue bean beetle. Photographed and identified to subfamily by: Eric Blehaut. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Bang Krang, Thailand. Date: 9 July, 2023. |
A shining leaf chafer in the genus Mimela, subfamily Rutelinae, family Scarabeidae. □ The black markings on this shining leaf chafer highlight the glossy gold/copper on its back. The larvae/grubs of this genus of beetles typically feed on plant roots, while the adults eat plant leaves. Photographed and identified to order by: Rukyya Siddique. Identified to genus by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Uttarakhand, India. Date: 17 June, 2020. |
A shining leaf chafer in the genus Anomala, possibly Anomala innuba (no specific common name), subfamily Rutelinae, family Scarabeidae. □ Two species of shining leaf chafer are very similar: Anomala innuba and Anomala undulatahas (neither has a specific common name). One difference between the two is the scutellum, the small triangle-shaped structure just behind the thorax. Anomala innuba has a completely light-colored scutellum (as shown above), while Anomala undulata has a scutellum that is all or mostly dark in color. This appears to be Anomala innuba. Photographed by: Marv Goldberg. Identified to genus and tentative species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Tamarac, Florida, USA. Date: 13 April, 2022. |
A leaf chafer in the genus Anomala, subfamily Rutelinae, family Scarabeidae. □ This leaf chafer has a shiny bronze color with a slightly greenish pronotum (the shield covering its thorax), and it is slightly flaring its fan-like antennae. Thailand, where this chafer was photographed, is home to more than two dozen species in this genus (Anomala). This one might be Anomala densa or Anomala obsoleta. Photographed and identified to genus by: Eric Blehaut. Location: Bang Krang, Nonthaburi, Thailand. Date: 29 September, 2022. |
| From ancient Egypt to China, several cultures have considered scarab beetles as symbols of eternal life and resurrection. |
Common cockchafer, Melolontha melolontha, female, subfamily Melolonthinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ This beetle looks almost identical to a forest cockchafer (Melolontha hippocastani), but the pygidium sets the two apart. The pygidium is the extension at the hind end. In the forest cockchafer, it extends noticeably less than in the common cockchafer. For a nice comparison (and a photo of the forest cockchafer), click here (UK Beetles website). Photographed and identified to genus by: Jean-Louis Metzger. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK. Date: 1 July, 2022. |
Rose chafers, Macrodactylus subspinosus, subfamily Melolonthinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ Adult rose chafers eat a lot of things from flower blossoms to fruits, as shown above, and also tree leaves (see other entry on this page). Fortunately, the adults are only active for about 3 weeks or so a year in Michigan, which is where this photo was taken. Then the adults lay eggs and die, and the next generation reappears the following year. Photographed by: Diane P. Kraus. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Glen Arbor, Michigan, USA. Date: 10 June, 2016. Diane says, “Wild iris blooms covered with them!” |
Rose chafers, Macrodactylus subspinosus, subfamily Melolonthinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ Rose chafers not only dine on flowers and fruits, but also leaves. On leaves, they eat the leaf tissue and leave behind the veins — damage that is known as skeletonizing. Photographed by: Bob Boomer. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: East Bay Township (near Traverse City), Michigan, USA. Date: 26 June, 2017. Bob says, “These bugs are eating the leaves in my trees.” |
Rose chafer, Macrodactylus subspinosus, subfamily Melolonthinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ Rose chafers will frequently sit on flowers with one or more legs extended, as seen here. They have long claws on their feet (tarsi), which gives them their genus name of Macrodactylus (Greek for long fingers). Photographed and identified by: Leslie Mertz. Location: Markey Township, Roscommon County, Michigan, USA. Date: 4 August, 2019. Leslie says, “There were probably a couple of dozen rose chafers visiting the oxeye daisies (Leucanthemum vulgare,) in this small garden.” |
Common cockchafer, also known as a maybug or doodlebug, Melolontha melolontha, subfamily Melolonthinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ Common cockchafers, which are also known as doodlebugs, make a buzzing sound when they fly. During World War II, the Germans used a bomb (the V-1 flying bomb) that made a similar buzzing sound, that made a similar buzzing sound, so the Allied forces nicknamed it a doodlebug after the cockchafer sound. Photographed and identified by: Bryan Wenham-Baker. Well done on the ID, Bryan! Location: Ivybridge, South Hams, South Devon, England, UK. Date: 30 May, 2021. |
Common cockchafer, also known as a maybug or doodlebug, Melolontha melolontha, male, subfamily Melolonthinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ The common cockchafer has considerable tawny fuzz on its pronotum (the shield covering its thorax) and head, and reddish-brown elytra (the forewings covering its back). One of its hind wings (the flight wings) is peeking out at the rear from beneath the elytra. □ To tell a male from a female, count the number of plates on each of the flabellate (fan-like) antennae. Males have seven plates; females have six. (We count seven in the close-up.) Photographed by: James Youngson. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Wirral, England, UK. Date: 20 May, 2020. |
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Sugarcane white grub, Lepidiota stigma, adult, subfamily Melolonthinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ The sugarcane white grub gets its common name from its larva/grub, which is the bane of sugarcane growers in Southeast Asia. The adults also sometimes look bright white due to the miniscule scales that cover their bodies, including the wings, and reflect light. To see a white adult and close-up of the scales, click here (the journal Scientific Reports). Photographed and identified by: Eric Blehaut. Nicely done, Eric! Location: Ko Samui, Thailand. Date: 4 April, 2018. |
Summer rhizotrogus, Rhizotrogus aestivus, subfamily Melolonthinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ The summer rhizotrogus is a European species (this one was photographed in France). Many individuals have a plain pronotum (the shield covering its thorax), but some have a dark line down the center and/or a small dot at each lower side of the pronotum. The underside (right) reveals how much setae (insect “hairs”) cover of the thorax. □ During the day, adults typically stay out of sight under bark or ground debris, and then emerge at night to chew on leaves and flowers. They are considered pests of some crop trees, such as olive trees. Photographed and identified by: Eric Blehaut. Nicely done, Eric! Location: Lille, France. Date: 17 June, 2023. |
Sovereign large dung beetle, Heliocopris dominus, female, subfamily Scarabaeinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ The sovereign large dung beetle is a very large beetle. The photographer guessed it was as 2-3.5 inches (5-9 cm) in body length (it was photographed a couple of months previously). The male has a long, forward-pointing horn at the front of its pronotum (the shield covering its thorax), but the female lacks the horn. This one has no horn, so it is a female. Photographed by: Yashraj Thakare. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Date: 15 August, 2023. Yashraj says, “I had a hunch it might be a dung beetle!” |
A dung beetle, possibly in the genus Heliocopris, subfamily Scarabaeinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ This dung beetle has ridged elytra, a smooth pronotum (the shield covering its thorax) with two small round indents, and flared legs (the flares on the middle and hind legs look almost like webbed frog feet). Photographed by: Samuel Adedeji Otebolaku. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Nigeria. Date: 20 September, 2021. |
Dung beetle in the genus Gymnopleurus, likely Gymnopleurus cyaneus, subfamily Scarabaeinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ Gymnopleurus cyaneus is one of numerous species known generically as dung beetles. This individual is a lovely metallic blue, which extends onto its pronotum and head — (obscured by the shadow in this photo). Other individuals in this species may be a brilliant green or rich, shiny purple. Photographed by: K J Westman. Identified by: Audrey Maran. Thank you, Audrey! Location: Nitulemada, Digana, Rajawella, Kandy, Sri Lanka. Date: 18 May, 2016. |
Sisyphus longipes (no specific common name), subfamily Scarabaeinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ Sisyphus longipes is a type of dung beetle. This genus of beetles (Sisyphus) has robust leg femurs, and especially long hind legs, including the tarsi (“the feet”). In fact, the species name longipes translates to long feet. The hind-leg tarsi are not visible in this photo, so to see the full length of the hind legs, click here (inaturalist.org). Photographed and identified by: Yashraj Thakare. Well done on the ID, Yashraj! Location: Dombivli East, Maharashtra, India. Date: 22 December, 2023. |
Rhinoceros beetle, possibly Oryctes agamemnon, subfamily Dynastinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ This rhinocerous beetle has tiny setae (insect “hairs”) on its elytra (the hardened forewings covering much of its back) and a spray of longer setae extending from the edge of its abdomen and pronotum (the shield covering its thorax). It also has a structure that looks rather like a collar at the back of its head. Photographed and identified by: Oleg Lisak. Well done on the ID, Oleg! Location: Israel. Date: 7 May, 2022. | |
Coconut rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros, female, subfamily Dynastinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ The coconut rhinoceros beetle is native to Southeast Asia, and has now spread elsewhere, including to Hawaii. This is a large beetle with some nearing 2 inches (5 cm) in body length. Both the male and the female have a single horn arising from the front of the head, which is why it is called a rhinocerous beetle. The horn of the female (shown here) is typically smaller, sometimes just a bump. To see the horns in the male and female, click here (Purdue University). □ The coconut rhinoceros beetle eats the tops of coconut palms (among other tropical fruit-producing plants), which can damage the plant and reduce fruit production. Photographed and identified by: Eric Blehaut. Nicely done on the identification, Eric! Location: Bang Krang area of Thailand. Date: 17 September, 2023. |
An aphodiine dung beetle, subfamily Aphodiinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ Notice the long spur (called a metatibial spur) on the hind leg of this aphodiine dung beetle. Photographed by: Jon Roback. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: southwestern Las Vegas desert, Nevada, USA. Date: 2 August, 2019. |
An aphodiine dung beetle, subfamily Aphodiinae, family Scarabaeidae. □ Although all the species in this subfamily are called aphodiine dung beetles, they are not all dung eaters. Many eat dead plants or animals. Photographed and identified by: Kaden G. Watson. Well done on the ID, Kaden! Location: Whichita Falls, Texas, USA. Date: 14 June, 2017. Kaden says, “The beetle is 1.5 inches long.” |
Glaphyridae, the bumblebee scarabs
A bumblebee scarab, Pygopleurus foina (no specific common name), subfamily Glaphyrinae, family Glaphyridae. □ This is one of the species of bumblebee scarabs. It has the body shape of a scarab beetle, but with the fuzziness of a bumblebee. This particular species also has a pronotum (the shield covering its thorax) that looks as if it was dipped in green-gold glitter. Photographed by: Yanni Petropoulos. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: mainland of southwest Greece. Date: 30 April, 2020. Yanni spotted this beauty while on a walk around the house. |
Bumblebee scarabs are beetles with a lot of hair, called setae. One of the hairiest is the male of a species known only by its scientific name: Pygopleurus vulpes. To see him, click here (inaturalist.org). |
Lucanidae, the stag beetles
Reddish brown stag beetle, Lucanus capreolus, female, subfamily Lucaninae, family Lucanidae. □ Although they are sometimes spotted during the day, reddish brown stag beetles are mostly active at night, and are often seen on porches or decks where they are attracted to lights. Photographed by: McKinley Sutterfield. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Craig Park, Greenwood, Indiana, USA. Date: 18 August, 2017. Says 10-year-old McKinley, “It was being very lazy for being at the playground.” |
Antelope beetle, Dorcus parallelus, female, subfamily Lucaninae, family Lucanidae. □ Antelope beetles are drawn to lights in the evening. The rest of the time, they hang out in rotting wood, especially old tree stumps. In different lighting, they may look very dark brown, dark purplish-brown or even black. □ The jaws help distinguish the male from the female (the female is shown here). In the male, the jaws have an extra projection (called a horn) that points inward from each mandible. To see the male, click here (BugGuide). Photographed by: Denise Rulason. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Mayville, Michigan, USA. Date: 7 June, 2018. |
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Passalidae, the bessbugs or betsy beetles
An unidentified bessbug, also known as a Betsy beetle, family Passalidae. □ Those little red bumps on the head of this bessbug are actually a whole lot of red mites! (The mites often take free rides on passing insects.) If you look closely, you can see a single “horn” in the middle of the head — protruding from the mass of mites. The horn is a characteristic feature of the bessbug family. Photographed and identified to order by: Moira Richardson. Identified to family by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Oklahoma, USA. Date: 19 June, 2017. |
Horned passalus beetle, Odontotaenuis disjunctus, subfamily Rhagioninae, family Passalidae. □ The horned passalus, sometimes called a patent leather beetle, has ridges running down its shiny black elytra (the hardened forewings covering its back); rows of small gold setae (insect “hairs”) around the edges of its thorax, mouthparts and legs; and an impressive pair of jaws. □ This beetle is large, and can reach as much as 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) long. Photographed and identified by: Christopher Barger. Well done on the ID, Christopher! Location: East Tennessee, USA. Date: 6 May, 2022. |
Beetles in the Passalidae family make a wide variety of noises by rubbing a row of spines on their hindwings against a hard bit on the abdomen. For more on this amazing capability, click here. |
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Photos at the top of this website by: Leslie Mertz, Ph.D., LMERTZ@nasw.org.
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