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)

Disonycha pensylvanica

Chrysomelidae

Identification: The three species of the D. pensylvanica -group are hard to tell apart; in some cases examining male genitalia is the only way. Common features: Head completely, or for the most part, black; pronotum reddish, usually with central dark

Disonycha pluriligata

Chrysomelidae

closely related to D. alternata , and basically similar. D. pluriligata has two forms / subspecies, the southwestern (sonoran?) pura LeConte, 1858 [NM - CA, probably extending into Mexico], and the nominate form of more eastern range [west to IL -

Disonycha politula

Chrysomelidae

Identification: lustrous and closely punctate green or blue elytra; prothorax pale, undersurface mostly dark, the abdominal margin, anterior femora, and basal half of posterior femora pale. elytra more or less blue this may be known by the very disti

Disonycha procera

Chrysomelidae

Identification: See info page for Disonycha pensylvanica Disonycha procera : - head usually red anteriour of antennal base; - legs usually with red femora, also tibiae can be partly red; (dark varieties with legs all dark occur) - abdomen usually com

Disonycha punctigera

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Elytra with narrow black stripes, the submarginal usually not extending beyond median at apex. Pronotum with (usually) 4 spots, head with dark base (difference vs. D. caroliniana ); Elytra distinctly, and quite densely punctured (name

Disonycha quinquelineata

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Yellow elytra with five narrow, free-ending black vittae; legs completely red , though tarsi may be deeper in colour .

Disonycha semicarbonata

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Essentially, same characteristics as D. collata ; differs in: - abdomen dark, except for terminal segment - head yellow in front - dorsum distinctly punctured - elytra rather black, and less shiny.

Disonycha stenosticha

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Det. E. G. Riley, 2009 Texas considers this sp. a SGCN ( 6 ) Type Locality: "Brownsville," Cameron Co., Texas on January 17, 1923. (Schaeffer 1931)

Disonycha tenuicornis

Chrysomelidae

Identification: true tenuicornis . Note: that when alive, tenuicornis is yellowish, not the blood reddish color of some other vittate Disonycha . Det. E. G. Riley, 2022 All the current Bugguide images of D. tenuicornis are not tenuicornis . I am not

Disonycha uniguttata

Chrysomelidae

Identification: See info page for Disonycha pensylvanica

Disonycha varicornis

Chrysomelidae

Identification: lustrous blue or purple, rarely green elytra [emphasis added], and pale head, prothorax, and undersurface, except for darkened tibiae and tarsi and apex of hind femora. ( 3 ) Four basal antennomeres are pale as well as one or two term

Disrupted Leaf Beetle

Calligrapha disrupta

Chrysomelidae

Calligrapha disrupta is a species of leaf beetle belonging to the family Chrysomelidae, in the subgenus Zygogramma, which was formerly a genus.

Dissolute Lady Beetle

Hyperaspis dissoluta

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures for dissoluta Gordon's figures for nevadica

Distigmoptera borealis

Chrysomelidae

Distigmoptera borealis is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America.

Distigmoptera impennata

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Varying from yellow to dark brown, densely punctate, pubescent; the striate punctures of elytra well separated by distinct intervals; Males either wingless or with wings reduced. (Blake 1943) Type locality: Isle au Haut, Maine, collec

Ditemnus bidentatus

Cantharidae

Ditemnus bidentatus (Ditemnus bidentatus) is a species in the family Cantharidae, commonly known as soldier beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Silinae, tribe Silini, suborder Polyphaga, superfa

Ditemnus fossiger 0

Ditemnus fossiger

Cantharidae

Identification: Elytra black, lateral borders narrowly pale. , see type Type Locality: Texas

Ditemnus freemani

Cantharidae

Identification: note the destinctive pronotal margin, and range - males not in GBIF

Dogwood Systena

Systena corni

Chrysomelidae

Identification: differs from the similar S. marginalis by weaker markings and association with Cornus florida

Dogwood Twig Borer

Oberea tripunctata

Cerambycidae

Identification: pronotum with a pair of black calli and a basal black spot near the scutellum, underside mostly dark, and outer margin of mandibles nearly straight

Dohrn's Elegant Eucnemid Beetle

Palaeoxenus dohrnii

Eucnemidae

Identification: Bright blood red and black colorations, large size and Californian range will distinguish the species from all other Nearctic Eucnemidae. While searching for additional information for the genus on the internet, a website was found.

Donacia (Mergodonacia) magnifica

Donacia magnifica

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Recognized by completely dark green color, dense punctures of pronotum, and striking multicolor of elytra and pronotum, metafemora of male bidentate, legs entirely dark • Holotype Not commonly seen or collected because the host plant

Donacia assimilis

Chrysomelidae

Identification: metallic green, antennae mostly black legs reddish, femora metallic at apex elytra shiny, subtruncate at base; punctures moderately coarse near base, finer near apex hind femur without tooth, markedly clavate

Donacia cinerea

Chrysomelidae

7.5 to 11 mm. Most easily identified among the UK Donaciinae by the finely and densely pubescent dorsal surface which gives the species a silky or grey appearance in the field. Elongate with sub-parallel elytra, entirely dull bronze or, occasionally,

Donacia clavipes

Chrysomelidae

Size: 8.3 to 10.5 mm. A shiny metallic brassy-green to coppery beetle with red-brown legs. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and ide

Donacia cuprea

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Diagnostic character: epipleuron of elytra is convex and wide, often distinctly wider than the elytral interval next it. Pronotum quadrate or wider than long, with super dense punctures; elytra quite rugose; legs generally entirely pa

Donacia edentata

Chrysomelidae

Identification: This species is very distinct from any other known so far. By description and superficially it resembles parvidens somewhat, but the form is more elongate, the prothorax always dull, the antennal joints longer and narrower, the poster

Donacia fulgens

Chrysomelidae

Identification: habitus photos Among species of the D subtilis group, D fulgens is recognizeable most easily by its brilliant green color, produced by dense fine rugosity of the elytra. Median line of pronotum mostly obscured by dense punctuation, th

Donacia hypoleuca

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Uniform very fine microsculpture of pronotal surface, hind pronotal margin wider than anterior and with hind setiferous tubercle quite prominent; slender but distinctly clavate metafemora, sometimes toothless metafemora; basal protar

Donacia liebecki

Chrysomelidae

Identification: It resembles megacornis more than any other of our species but differs from that by more depressed form less, stouter antennal joints, posterior femora moderately clavate with a small acute tooth in both sexes and mesosternal process

Donacia marginata

Chrysomelidae

Size: 8 to 10mm. Elytra usually golden bronze, with variable reddish-purple patches and sides. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or

Donacia palmata

Chrysomelidae

Identification: first tarsomere of male is “palmate”, very much widened, but not so in female. Pronotum is alutaceous, with well developed sulci.

Donacia parvidens

Chrysomelidae

Identification: This distinct species [...] is apt to be confused with cincticornis . However, the antennae are heavier , the prothorax has a different shape and sculpture, the posterior femora are much shorter and have only a single feeble tooth (em

Donacia piscatrix

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Variable in coloration and external features; males have a noticeable tooth on the mesotibia adjacent to the spur

Donacia proxima

Chrysomelidae

Donacia proxima is a species of aquatic leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America.

Donacia rugosa

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Coarsely and densely punctate pronotum, forming rugae laterally; strongly rugose elytra; legs entirely reddish pale, though can have darkened subapical areas of femora.

Donacia semicuprea

Chrysomelidae

Length 6 to 9mm. Upper surface is metallic bronze. The pronotum has a central longitudinal groove and is shining between the punctures. The underside has a covering of short white hairs giving it a grey appearance. Wet areas where Reed Sweet-grass is

Donacia simplex

Chrysomelidae

A medium sized (7 or 8 mm) metallic brown beetle. Elytral apices are truncate, c.f. slightly sinuate or wavy in D. vulgaris . On the edges of pools and canals where it can be found on emergent and marginal vegetation. It is particularly associated wi

Donacia thalassina

Chrysomelidae

Size 6.5 to 8.5 mm. Shiny bronze, usually with a coppery tinge, sometimes greyish or greenish on the pronotum and elytra. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comm

Donacia tuberculata

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Unusual for the subgenus in lacking strongly confluent punctuation of the pronotum, and elytral apex indistinctly truncate. Pronotum much wider across the anterior calli than across the base. Pronotum with indistinct median sulcus, i

Donacia tuberculifrons

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Pronotum with anterolateral calli and posterolateral calli distinct, not exceeded by the setiferous tubercles so the side appears bisinuate; median pronotal line fairly distinct, disc with smooth rugae laterally; elytra curving relati

Donacia versicolorea

Chrysomelidae

Size: 6.2 to 8.9 mm. The elytra can give a dark purplish or bronzy appearance depending on light conditions. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, sta

Donacia vulgaris

Chrysomelidae

Length up to 12mm with females being larger than males. This Reed Beetle has coppery elytra, with a metallic reddish or bluish central area, though the female is less colourful. Donacia semicuprea is similar but the pronotum has a central longitudina

Dorcaschema cinereum

Cerambycidae

Identification: Antenna: Black, extremely long, twice as long as body; black. Thorax: Densely covered with grayish-brown pile. Hind margin wavy. Black line down middle. Wings: Densely covered with grayish-brown pile. May have a small black mark on ea

Dorcasina matthewsi

Cerambycidae

Identification: The species was described from pinned specimens so the color of the elytra is said to be testaceous, note that the living specimen is actually yellow. The females tend to have black antennae and legs, while the males are reddish brown

Dorcasta cinerea

Cerambycidae

Dorcasta cinerea (Dorcasta cinerea) is a species in the family Cerambycidae, commonly known as longhorn beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Lamiinae, tribe Apomecynini, suborder Polyphaga, super

Dorcus brevis

Lucanidae

Identification: Humerus with a large tooth projecting forward and outward

Dorytomus brevicollis

Curculionidae

Identification: Det. Charles O'Brien, 2009 image shows the relative size of the two most common Dorytomus spp. in Texas. Dorytomus brevisetosus Casey is also present in w. TX. Dorytomus brevicollis LeConte - small Dorytomus mucidus (Say) ------- larg

Dorytomus filirostris

Curculionidae

A slender, long‑snouted weevil specialised for life on poplars and willows - particularly Black Poplar and Hybrid Black Polar. It is 4-5mm (excluding the long rostrum) and tawny brown with the upper side covered in patchy pale and decumbent (lying fl

Dorytomus ictor

Curculionidae

Unless identified by a recognised expert, photographic evidence is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used. Note the beetle's size and describe the identifying characters. I

Dorytomus longimanus

Curculionidae

A brown weevil with light and dark forms. Characteristic long first leg. No additional images available for this species.

Dorytomus mucidus

Curculionidae

Identification: (female) Det. M. A. Quinn, 2021 image shows the relative size of the two most common Dorytomus spp. in Texas. Dorytomus brevisetosus Casey is also present in w. TX. Dorytomus brevicollis LeConte - small Dorytomus mucidus (Say) -------

Dorytomus taeniatus

Curculionidae

A small weevil with a mottled dark and light brown appearance. Unless identified by a recognised expert, photographic evidence is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used. No

Dorytomus tortrix

Curculionidae

About 5 mm long, this is a reddish brown weevil. There are other very similar species in this genus which means that detailed examination of an actual specimen is generally needed to identify the exact species. A red box around the image indicates th

Douglas-fir Beetle

Dendroctonus pseudotsugae

Curculionidae

Deters conspecifics by an antiaggregation pheromone, which is released by each sex at the sonic stimulus of the other sex.

Drapetes niger

Elateridae

Identification: first joint of antennae pale (Schaeffer, 1916) immediately recognized in our fauna by its elongate shape and long cinereous pubescence giving a grizzled appearance, usually elytra with pubescence forming a band just posterior of mid-l

Drapetes quadripustulatus

Elateridae

Identification: the only Neactic species with four elytral maculae, two on each elytron.

Dried-fruit Beetle

Carpophilus hemipterus

Nitidulidae

Dried-fruit Beetle (Carpophilus hemipterus) is a species in the family Nitidulidae, commonly known as sap-feeding beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Carpophilinae, suborder Polyphaga, superfami

Dromius meridionalis

Carabidae

It is an arboreal species found on a variety of tree species such as Sycamore, Horse-chestnut and Spruce where it can often be located under bark. Fairly frequent and widespread in the southern half of Britain. No additional images available for this

Dromius piceus

Carabidae

Identification: Flat uniformly brown elytra; lateral margins of pronotum translucent; claws denticulate

Dromius quadrimaculatus

Carabidae

Length 5 to 6 mm. This beetle has a blackish head, but a shiny red pronotum. The legs and antennae are pale straw coloured. The dark elytra show two large pale patches on each and are sharply truncate leaving the terminal abdominal segment exposed. G

Drusilla canaliculata

Staphylinidae

A small (about 5 mm), slender rove beetle. It is predominantly reddish brown but the rear of the abdomen is darker than the rest of the body. The legs are reddish-yellow and rather long. Abdomen is broadest in the middle. Found in a wide range of hab

Dryophilus pusillus

Ptinidae

2.5 to 4 mm. Pronotum quadrate, scutellum with white scale-like pubescence. Antennomeres 4 to 8 transverse. Apex of basal sternite very strongly curved. Detailed photographs required to support records please. Associated with various conifers, especi

Dryophthorus americanus

Curculionidae

Dryophthorus americanus (Dryophthorus americanus) 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 Dryophthorinae, tribe Dryophthori

Dryops arizonensis

Dryopidae

Identification: Pronotum on each side with a conspicuous, complete sublateral longitudinal sulcus; pubescent; brown Det. M. A. Quinn, 2013 Type Locality: Phoenix, Arizona

Dryops luridus

Dryopidae

Length about 4 mm. Covered in hairs and with hook-like claws for crawling on under-water vegetation. Along the banks of various water bodies, typically amongst moss. All year round, but most likely to be recorded in summer. Records on NBN suggest tha

Dryoxylon onoharaense

Curculionidae

Identification: see earliest record in our area: LA 1982

Dubiraphia parva

Elmidae

considered a "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" in LA & OK

Dylobolus rotundicollis

Cerambycidae

Identification: pale elytral sutural line can be present or absent Type Locality: Texas

Dyschirius abbreviatus

Carabidae

Identification: characterized by combination of elytra without discal setigerous punctures + pronotum with lateral bead very short anteriorly. (PW Messer, 2.i.2013) According to Whitehead (1970: 185), specimens of D. darlingtoni Kult from Mexico are

Dyschirius alticola

Carabidae

Dyschirius alticola is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Scaritinae. It was described by Lindroth in 1961.

Dyschirius exochus

Carabidae

Dyschirius exochus is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Scaritinae. It was described by Whitehead in 1970.

Dyschirius globulosus

Carabidae

Identification: indistinguishable from D. longulus based on external morphology

Dyschirius longulus 0

Dyschirius longulus

Carabidae

Dyschirius longulus is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Scaritinae. It was described by Leconte in 1850.

Dyschirius politus

Carabidae

A small (4 to 5mm), bronze black burrowing ground beetle. Prefers sandy places often on the coast. It is predatory on rove beetles of the genus Bledius.

Dyschirius quadrimaculatus 0

Dyschirius quadrimaculatus

Carabidae

Dyschirius quadrimaculatus is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Scaritinae. It was described by Lindroth in 1961.

Dyschirius terminatus

Carabidae

Dyschirius terminatus is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Scaritinae. It was described by Leconte in 1848.

Dyscinetus laevicollis

Scarabaeidae

Identification: Pronotum nearly impunctate; rugose clypeus Adults attracted to lights

Dysphenges oblivius

Chrysomelidae

Identification: PARATYPE Type Locality: TEXAS: McLennan Co.: 3 mi N Moody, IV-29-2001, E. G. Riley-976, on Desmanthus illinoensis .

Dysphenges penrosei

Chrysomelidae

Identification: PARATYPE Type Locality: ARIZONA: Cochise Co.: Sunnyside Cyn., VII-9-86, A. J. Gilbert.

Dysphenges rileyi

Chrysomelidae

Identification: PARATYPE: only one U.S. spmn (and two from Mexico) in the University of Arizona Insect Collection (Gene Hall, pers. comm. to MAQ, 2016)

Dysphenges secretus

Chrysomelidae

Identification: PARATYPE Type Locality: Texas: Uvalde Co., 9 mi N Sabinal, IV-9-1995, E. G. Riley

Dytiscus circumcinctus

Dytiscidae

Identification: Large and elongate, sometimes with a greenish sheen; ventral surface mostly yellow without expanded black markings on abdominal sterna (margins of sterna narrowly black); metacoxal lobes acuminate (pointed); inner margins of the eyes

Dytiscus circumflexus

Dytiscidae

In this species the metacoxal plates are sharply pointed. It is 30 mm or more in length and the pronotum has narrow yellow borders front and back with the sides being only a little wider. Other distinguishing features are the underside of the beetle

Dytiscus cordieri

Dytiscidae

Identification: Moderate size; pronotum and elytra broadly lined with yellow laterally; ventral surface mostly yellow with few dark markings; hind coxal lobes rounded .

Eastern Ash Bark Beetle

Hylesinus aculeatus

Curculionidae

The most commonly encountered ash-breeding bark beetle in eastern North America (T. Atkinson, pers. comm. to MAQ, 2011) at high risk of endangerment due to the EAB ( 4 )

Eastern Babia

Babia quadriguttata

Chrysomelidae

Identification: This is the only black and red Clytrini in e. US. The short serrate antennae and shiny, feebly punctate upper surface will separate it from other black and red Cryptocephalinae. Det. M. A. Quinn, 2010

Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle

Habroscelimorpha dorsalis

Carabidae

Identification: Dorsal Coloration: white elytra with greenish-bronze complete maculations. One subspecies, C. d. dorsalis , is federally listed as threatened

Eastern Deathwatch Beetle

Hemicoelus carinatus

Ptinidae

Identification: Elytra with well impressed and regular serial punctures (vs. similar Oligomerus spp.). ID on species level is tricky, and often tentative unless male genitalia are studied. H.(Cacotemnus) umbrosus is extremely similar, and safe separa

Eastern Pinebarrens Tiger Beetle

Cicindelidia abdominalis

Carabidae

Identification: Tiny. Shiny blackish with some blue above, whitish crescents at tip of elytra .

Eastern Red-bellied Tiger Beetle

Cicindelidia rufiventris

Carabidae

Identification: abdomen under the elytra is bright red, especially towards the rear

Eburia haldemani

Cerambycidae

Identification: Highly variable and anomalous forms do occur Det. S. Vitanza, 2015 comes to lights and fermenting molasses ( 3 )

Eburia ovicollis

Cerambycidae

Identification: Det. M. A. Quinn, 2011 Adults come to lights

Ecyrus dasycerus

Cerambycidae

Identification: Variable in size and color, but the combination of body shape and the dark, inverted arc-like (although sometimes faint) marking at the elytral base is distinctive among eastern longhorns comes to lights

Ecyrus penicillatus

Cerambycidae

Identification: uncommon sp. resembles a bird dropping when resting on dead twigs or in a death-feigning posture (legs and antennae drawn tight to the body) on the beating sheet ( 4 ) attracted to lights ( 4 )