Primitive Winged Insects

Order Coleoptera

The Primitive Winged Insects (Order Coleoptera) includes 15,720 species across 160 families and 3,716 genera in our directory.

About Primitive Winged Insects

Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.

Economic Impact

Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.

Ecological Role

Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.

Families in Coleoptera (160)

Species in Coleoptera (15,720)

Cassida viridis

Chrysomelidae

Length 7.5 to 10 mm. This is an all green Tortoise Beetle that lacks the markings of other Cassida species. Cassida viridis is similar to C. rubiginosa but can be distinguished by the rounded rear corners of the pronotum (sharp in C. rubiginosa). It

Catapion seniculus 0

Catapion seniculus

Brentidae

Identification: elliptical elytra (widest at mid-length or slightly before) distinguish it from almost all other NA apionines (in most apionines the body has the greatest width behind the mid-length of elytra)

Caterpillar Searcher

Calosoma sycophanta

Carabidae

Introduced in 1905 to control spongy moth ( Lymantria dispar ) and Euproctis chrysorrhoea

Cathormiocerus aristatus

Curculionidae

Identification: Suberect spatulate scale-like "setae" (lacking in the smilar Calyptillus ) that are longer and denser than in other " Trachyphloeus " found in our area Recently emerged specimens are clean and they get dirty and coated with a mix of s

Catolethrus longulus 0

Catolethrus longulus

Curculionidae

Identification: The elytra usually have the sides broadly and indeterminately rufescent, but the entire body is sometimes almost wholly black, or ferruginous with a darker space along the suture. The peculiar ventral and femoral characters of the mal

Catops basilaris

Leiodidae

Identification: Characters of antennae, male gentilia, and female abdominal sternite 7 distinguish this species The most frequently collected Catops species in North America

Catops geomysi

Leiodidae

Identification: distinguished by its slightly reduced eyes and long thin antennae collected in flight traps or at carrion baits or in burrows of at least three Geomys spp.

Catops grandicollis

Leiodidae

This is a dark grey coloured round fungus beetle. Can be found in Carrion and rotting vegetable matter. Prefers more open, non woodland habitats. Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain. No additional images available for this species.

Catops gratiosus

Leiodidae

Identification: The characters of the antennae and the male genitalia will distinguish C. gratiosus from all other North American Catops species.

Cedar Tree Borer

Semanotus ligneus

Cerambycidae

Semanotus ligneus is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae.

Cedraderus constrictus

Aderidae

Identification: Syntype the most common aderid in CA

Celery Leaf Beetle

Phaedon tumidulus

Chrysomelidae

3 to 4mm. Variable, usually dark blue or dark green with a brassy metallic lustre. Elliptical and convex with a transverse pronotum that strongly narrows at the front. The elytral punctures are spaced out, roughly 4x the size of each puncture. P. tum

Celina angustata

Dytiscidae

Identification: fine microsculpture on central portion of pronotum, with some punctures distinct Det. Tim R. Moyer, 2010

Celina grossula

Dytiscidae

Identification: distinguished from the congeners in our area by large size (>6 mm), coarse pronotal punctation, and unmodified male mesotibia Type Locality: Louisiana not listed in

Celina hubbelli

Dytiscidae

Identification: Adult: body elongate, reddish-yellow to reddish-brown with basal one-fourth of elytra and pronotum paler. Pronotum with punctures large laterally, fine but evident on disc. Elytra coarsely irregularly punctate, each puncture with shor

Celina imitatrix

Dytiscidae

Identification: elytron with punctation coarse and irregular; pronotum dull with microsculpture meshes large and well impressed, disk with punctation fine and dense, laterally with larger punctures broadly distributed Type Locality: Gainesville, Alac

Cenophengus longicollis

Phengodidae

Identification: Head black; antennae black to brown, pronotum and scutellum yellow-orange; wingtips black to brown, sometimes only at the base poorly lit, legs and lower yellow to yellow-orange Type Locality: 3 mi. NE. of Porvenir, Presidio Co. Tex.,

Cenophengus pallidus

Phengodidae

Identification: The male is a soft, delicate, very pale yellowish beetle with short dehiscent elytra that do not fully cover the abdomen and leave the hind wings broadly exposed. Antennae bipectinate. Females unknown. Texas considers this sp. a SGCN

Centrinites strigicollis

Curculionidae

Type Locality: Hot Spring; French Broad River, Buncombe, North Carolina

Centrodera autumnata

Cerambycidae

Centrodera autumnata is a species of flower longhorn in the family Cerambycidae. It is found in North America.

Centrodera sublineata

Cerambycidae

occasionally comes to UV lights Uncommon in eastern US, rare in Texas (D. Heffern, pers. comm. to MAQ, 2016)

Centronopus calcaratus

Tenebrionidae

Identification: Male has prominent blunt tooth on tibia :

Centronopus opacus

Tenebrionidae

active at nights, on overcast days, and immediately after rainfall; none taken at lights or in FIT (Triplehorn & Stephan 1994); come to lights in cTX (i have a series taken at my porch lights. =v=)

Cephaloscymnus insulatus

Coccinellidae

Identification: brown with reddish pronotum and piceous venter; legs, mouthparts, and epipleuron brown Type locality: Santa Rita Mts., Arizona

Cephaloscymnus occidentalis

Coccinellidae

Identification: Brown to reddish-brown above; venter (underside) brownish-black, leg brown. Pronotum finely punctured, anterior (front) angle feebly explanate .

Ceracis pecki

Ciidae

Identification: Holotype: https://mczbase.mcz.harvard.edu/guid/MCZ:Ent:31695

Cerataltica insolita

Chrysomelidae

Identification: description Rare in IN, AL, FL ; exceedingly rare in MD

Ceratapion gibbirostre

Apionidae

Size 2.2 to 3 mm. One of several similar small blackish weevils. There are other similar species which make correct identification to species level difficult and detailed examination is needed. Unless identified by a recognised expert, photographic e

Ceratapion onopordi

Apionidae

2.4-2.9mm. Generally black with weak metallic elytra. Legs are black. The scutellum is round. Amongst the Ceratapion weevils, this species is distinguished by the rugose sculpture on the frons (between the eyes). Unless identified by a recognised exp

Cercyon adumbratus

Hydrophilidae

Identification: A distinctive species due to the pubescent dorsal surface of the elytra; striae impressed and intervals convex.

Cercyon analis

Hydrophilidae

Identification: Body elongate, tapered posteriorly; mesosternum broadened posteriorly, not tapered to a point at contact with the elevated portion of the metasternum; both meso- and metasterna finely punctate.

Cercyon fimbriatus

Hydrophilidae

Identification: distinguished by the deeply impressed, often connecting bases of the first and second striae; size and coloration highly variable The most common species of beach-dwelling Cercyon in the region

Cercyon haemorrhoidalis

Hydrophilidae

Size 2.5 to 3.1 mm. It is a very dark reddish brown, almost black looking in the field. Occurring in herbivore dung in just about any situation, but they may also be found in various types of decaying vegetable matter. Widely distributed, occurring q

Cercyon herceus

Hydrophilidae

Confused with the palaearctic C. tristis by earlier authors

Cercyon lateralis

Hydrophilidae

A very small species, measuring around 2.5 to 3mm in length. The head and shoulders are quite dark brown or blackish fading to a more golden or reddish brown nearer the tips of the elytra. Care is needed with identification as there are other, simila

Cercyon littoralis

Hydrophilidae

Identification: Body flat, elytral surface with microsculpture, pronotum and head without pronounced microsculpture except for the clypeus; mesosternal process long and narrow

Cercyon marinus

Hydrophilidae

Identification: Elytral striae disappear at the apex, yellow lateral elytral markings narrow, width extending to 9th stria and usually not quite reaching the humeral angle

Cercyon melanocephalus

Hydrophilidae

A distinctive 'Dung Beetle' with a reddish elytra and black triangular colouration over the scutellar area. Though a member of the water beetle family, this species lives in dung, effectively 'swimming' through it. Like some other beetles in this fam

Cercyon obsoletus

Hydrophilidae

A beetle with dark reddish brown elytra and blacker head and pronotum. Images contained in a red box denote that they are only likely to be this species and are typical of the species but have not been examined in detail to be certain of identity Wid

Cercyon praetextatus

Hydrophilidae

Identification: Shining black Cercyon with distinctly delimited pale apex of the elytra. Key Characters: A very common species. An adult from Florida was found to carry mite deutonymphs ( Parasitus sp.) under its elytra.

Cercyon pygmaeus

Hydrophilidae

Identification: Color variable; complete metasternal lines; narrow mesosternal crest; elytra without setae Earliest eastern specimens known are from Tyngsboro MA in 1868 & 1871. Earliest known specimens from the west coast were from Fieldbrook CA in

Cercyon quisquillius

Cercyon quisquilius

Hydrophilidae

Although tiny this species is soon recognised by its golden brown colouration and rather elongate form. Early spring to late autumn peaking in summer. Breed in dung, but associated with all kinds of decaying matter. Widespread and frequent in the sou

Cercyon unipunctatus

Hydrophilidae

This is a very small (about 2 mm) beetle. The straw brown elytra have a single large blackish spot. Although this is a water scavenging beetle, it flies well and has been attracted to light, and recorded on dung. Summer is the best time to see this s

Cercyon ustulatus

Hydrophilidae

Identification: See Ryndevich 2008 for a diagram (Fig. 27) showing the separate convexities of the pronotum and elytra. ( At ResearchGate ).

Cercyon variegatus

Hydrophilidae

Identification: readily identified by its colour, and the fact that the striae of the elytra are simply impressed lines, almost without trace of punctuation (Sharp 1882) apparently the most abundant of the Central-American species of Cercyon . (Sharp

Cereal Leaf Beetle

Oulema duftschmidi/melanopus agg.

Chrysomelidae

Length is about 6 mm. The elytra have a green iridescent sheen and well punctuated. The 'head' is red. The two species Oulema duftschmidi and Oulema melanopus are almost impossible to separate without detailed examination. Unless the necessary detail

Ceropria induta

Tenebrionidae

Identification: see Steiner & Golia earliest NA record: FL 1998

Cerotoma atrofasciata

Chrysomelidae

Identification: elytra pale testaceous, a narrow transverse band at the base, dilated at the suture, and two small spots near the apex, black. (Jacoby, 1879) Type Locality: Guatemala

Cerotoma ruficornis

Chrysomelidae

males have neat modified antennae (E. G. Riley, pers. comm. to MAQ, 2013)

Cerylon histeroides

Cerylonidae

A very small beetle, 1.8 to 2.3 mm. Adults are dark brown, sometimes dark reddish-brown or even blackish. The pronotum is broadly quadrate and strongly punctured. It is superficially similar to C. fagi but is generally more slender in appearance and

Cerylon unicolor

Cerylonidae

Cerylon unicolor is a species of minute bark beetle in the family Cerylonidae. It is found in North America.

Ceutorhynchus alliariae

Curculionidae

A small (2.6 to 3.4 mm) black or dark grey weevil. There are a number of similar species and detailed examination is required. Please provide a photograph and state the host plant. Detailed examination required to confirm species id. Associated with

Ceutorhynchus erysimi

Curculionidae

Ceutorhynchus erysimi (Ceutorhynchus erysimi) is a species in the family Curculionidae, commonly known as snout and bark beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Ceutorhynchinae, tribe Ceutorhynchini

Ceutorhynchus inaffectatus

Curculionidae

Identification: Rather "big", grey Ceutorhynchus , dorsal scales narrow (no ovate scales intermixed) in double rows on elytral intervals (diagnostic vs. C. rapae ). Pronotum well convex in both directions, cushion-shaped, without lateral tubercle lik

Ceutorhynchus typhae

Curculionidae

A small brown or blackish weevil. Many specimens appear to show a pale line running between the elytra. Unless identified by a recognised expert, photographic evidence is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments

Chaetarthria pallida

Hydrophilidae

Identification: see discussion here ; the only dorsally yellowish species in NA in which the males have plates instead of stalked discs on the inner surface of the protibiae. Females may be hard to separate from similar species. rarely seen other tha

Chaetocnema borealis

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Type specimen is in CNC, image here: https://www.cnc.agr.gc.ca/images/specimen/s3722_696891.jpg Confused with C. hortensis , in which the basal antennomeres are yellow and dorsal surface has a bronze or green lustre. In C. borealis ,

Chaetocnema minuta

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Black bronze, head punctate (small, indistinctly), elytral punctures distinct to apex, pronotum with distinct row of basal punctures, legs dark red/brown (paler in some), first 4-5 antennomeres yellow/brown

Chaetocoelus setosus

Melyridae

Identification: female is brachypterous Type Locality: Columbus, Texas; E. A. Schwarz

Chalcodermus inaequicollis

Curculionidae

Identification: Det. E. G. Riley, 2009 Type Locality: GA

Chalcodermus martini

Curculionidae

Identification: "This species, because of its conspicuous cinereous (ash-gray) vestiture, deep punctuation, and well-elevated intervals, stands apart from all of its fellows and thus should be easily recognized. It seems to resemble no Mexican specie

Chalcodermus semicostatus

Curculionidae

Type Locality: Brownsville, Texas (Esperanza Ranch) (Schaeffer 1904) Texas considers this a "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" (SGCN) ( 3 )

Chalcodermus vittatus

Curculionidae

Identification: Det. E. G. Riley, 2009 Specimens of this species, which is described from Guatemala, were taken at Brownsville (San Tomas and Esperanza Ranch from May to July). (Schaeffer 1904)

Chalcolepidius lenzi

Elateridae

Identification: antennae strongly serrate in male and serrate in female

Chalepus bicolor

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Elytra entirely dark, pronotum mostly red , southern populations may have dark pronotum , , femora red at base , red scutelum Det. M. A. Quinn, 2017

Charaphloeus adustus

Laemophloeidae

Identification: Det. M.C. Thomas, 1995 One spmn coll'ed during 2 yrs of arboreal surveys in c. TX

Charaphloeus convexulus

Laemophloeidae

One spmn coll. during 2 yrs of arboreal surveys in c. TX

Chariessa catalina

Cleridae

Identification: Forebody, venter, forebody and venter pubescence, pale sanguineous; elytra more black than blue (USA) ...... Chariessa elegans Horn Forebody, venter, forebody and venter pubescence, crimson; elytra more blue than black (USA, Mexico) .

Chariessa dichroa

Cleridae

Identification: Pronotum unicolorous reddish, legs black

Chariessa elegans

Cleridae

Identification: Pronotum unicolorous, reddish; legs mostly reddish, tarsi black pair, along with dozens of others, on an oak that had been struck by lightning in Texas:

Chariessa floridana

Cleridae

Identification: Pronotal discal black lines narrow and distal to each other, tuft of gold setae between black lines; known only from Key Largo most recent spmn coll'ed in 1979

Chariessa pilosa

Cleridae

Identification: Pronotal discal black lines broad and proximal to each other ♂ ♀

Chariessa texana

Cleridae

Identification: Pronotum without two discal black lines, pronotal disc mostly red, with transverse black spot at anterior margin Type locality: Texas, Nolan County, Sweetwater (FMNH).

Chariessa vestita

Cleridae

potential intra-generic predation attempt described in Taber and Fleenor

Charisalia americana

Cerambycidae

Identification: head and prothorax red, elytra black; prothorax with sharp projecting corners Rare

Charlesella viticola

Cerambycidae

Identification: The pubescence of elytra is sometimes uniformly cinereous, intermixed with black spots; the region around the scutellum is always more or less blackish. Det. E. G. Riley, 2010 Type Locality: San Tomas [Sabal Palm Sanctuary], Brownsvil

Chauliognathus lewisi

Cantharidae

Identification: ssp. vittaus Schaeffer has the basal & apical elytral markings connected

Chauliognathus misellus

Cantharidae

Identification: Det. M. A. Quinn, 2017 interesting mimic of: Dysdercus bimaculatus (Stål) - AZ Pyrrhocoridae

Chauliognathus omissus

Cantharidae

Chauliognathus omissus is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is found in North America.

Chauliognathus profundus

Cantharidae

Identification: The three black spots of the thorax are in a transverse line behind the middle. The black of the elytra occupies about two-fifths of the surface. Det. M. A. Quinn, 2017 Type Locality: Sonora, Mex.

Chauliognathus scutellaris

Cantharidae

Identification: Det. E.G. Riley, 2009 Quoting the original description: Body slender, black, finely pubescent; head moderately elongated, third joint of the antennae one half as long as the 4th; thorax a little longer than wide, rounded at the apex,

Chauliognathus transversus

Cantharidae

Identification: Pronotum transversely subquadrate, with or without two oblique black spots, "one on each lateral half but nearer the middle". Elytra subulate, each with a black spot at apical third, not attaining margins. Legs black with the basal ¾

Chelonarium lecontei

Chelonariidae

Identification: Det. J.C. Abbott, 1996 usually taken at lights, but also in Malaise traps and by sweeping/beating, especially at night; sometimes in tree holes

Chelymorpha cribraria

Chrysomelidae

Identification: highly variable (at least globally), but in FL often with multiple dark spots of almost uniform size and spacing on the elytra that make it appear to be perforated like a metal colander. showed up in so. FL following hurricane Andrew

Chemsakiella ricei

Cerambycidae

Identification: dark metallic greenish, appendages black; pubescence whitish, dense, subdepressed and erect. PARATYPE Type Series: White River Lake, Crosby Co., Texas, 19 September 1980, on Heterotheca (M. E. Rice). Sixteen paratypes (10 males, 6 fem

Cherry Leaf Beetle

Tricholochmaea cavicollis

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Larvae are dark brown with black and yellow spots; they are about 6mm long. Overwinter as adults. In spring eggs are deposited in the soil at the base of the tree. The larvae climb the tree and feed on the foliage before returning to

Chevrolat's Dytiscid

Copelatus chevrolati

Dytiscidae

Identification: Unique pattern of elytral striae Det. B. Mathison, 2010 Readily comes to lights

Chevrolatia amoena

Staphylinidae

Identification: Dorsal ridge of longitudinal carina at posterior margin of pronotum blunt or slightly expanded Det. Don Chandler, 2018 Type locality: New York A total of 233 specimens were examined by O'Keefe

Chevrolatia occidentalis 0

Chevrolatia occidentalis

Staphylinidae

Identification: Median longitudinal carina of pronotum nearly 1/3 length of pronotum Type Locality: Koppe's Bridge, 5 mi. SW College Station, Brazos Co., Texas

Chevroned Waterhyacinth Weevil

Neochetina bruchi

Brachyceridae

Introduced intentionally into FL in 1974 to combat Eichhornia crassipes ; native to Argentina and bordering countries

Chilothorax distinctus

Scarabaeidae

Identification: elytral markings variable earliest NA record: MD before 1845

Chlaenius amoenus

Carabidae

Chlaenius is a large and diverse genus of ground beetle. It is native to the Palearctic realm (including Europe, the Near East, and North Africa), Afrotropical realm, and Nearctic realm. Worldwide, roughly 1,000 species are currently recognized with

Chlaenius caurinus 0

Chlaenius caurinus

Carabidae

Chlaenius is a large and diverse genus of ground beetle. It is native to the Palearctic (including Europe), the Near East, North Africa, Afrotropical region, and the Nearctic. Worldwide, roughly 1,000 species are currently recognized with the majorit

Chlaenius circumcinctus

Carabidae

the only member of the circumcinctus group in our fauna

Chlaenius cordicollis

Carabidae

Identification: Third antennal segment distinctly longer than fourth; abdominal sclerties more or less glabrous at middle, densely punctate laterally; elytral margin curved evenly onto basal margin (no angle); pronotal disk with impunctate areas; ely