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)

Epicauta sanguinicollis

Meloidae

Identification: distinctive: head and pronotum red, elytra black with white stripes (if just the head is red, then it's a var. of E. atrata )

Epicauta sericans

Meloidae

Identification: uniform pubescence, lack of dark elytral markings, broad pronotum, short ant. which widen apically, and large eyes

Epicauta strigosa

Meloidae

Identification: unicolorous spmns can be identified by large eyes, broad head, thick antennae, simple spurs, and dark legs

Epicauta sublineata

Meloidae

Identification: This is one of the most variable species of the genus as to color pattern. Head and pronotum always largely grey; elytra either black with grey margin, cloudy grey on disc, or with vague striping when largely grey. Type Locality: Eagl

Epicauta tenella

Meloidae

Identification: one of the few spp. in which the elytra are darker than the head and pronotum. head, pronotum and legs rufous, elytra with moderately sparse cinereous pubescence head, pronotum and appendages rufous, elytra pubescence sparse, cinereou

Epicauta tricostata

Meloidae

Identification: Suture, side margins and three, instead of four, ridges on each elytron strongly elevated. Male with antennal segments 2-5 shiny and somewhat elongate, but not as extremely as in costata Det. Blaine Mathison, 2010

Epicauta valida 0

Epicauta valida

Meloidae

Identification: Selander & Mathieu, 1969; key p. 106: Body (including elytra) entirely black except, usually, for white fringing on pronotum (emphasis added), metathorax, coxae, and abdominal sterna Type Locality: Texas; lectotype.

Epicauta virgulata

Meloidae

sometimes fairly common at light Type locality: San Jose del Cabo, Lower California

Episcirrus brachialis

Curculionidae

Identification: Legs long and slender, thighs armed with one tooth; front thighs of male extending much beyond the head. Type Locality: Columbus, Austin Co., TX

Epitragosoma arenarium

Tenebrionidae

Texas considers this a "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" (SGCN) ( 5 )

Epitrix atropae

Chrysomelidae

The dark elytra of this small (3mm) species usually have pairs of paler bronze patches. As with other 'flea' beetles it has swollen rear femora. The small size of this beetles brings a photographic challenge but knowing the food plant it is found on

Epitrix brevis

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Body dark testaceous to piceous; antebasal impression of pronotum absent to weak; pronotal punctures separated by their diameter, small; one row of setae between elytral striae; 11 striae on elytra. Det. A. M. Deczynski, 2012 Type ser

Epitrix lobata

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Body completely piceous the only species north of Mexico with a series of irregular striations present on the vertex of the head. Type Locality: South Carolina

Epitrix ovalis 0

Epitrix ovalis

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Body pale testaceous to dark rufous; body highly elongate ovoid; pronotum highly convex and about same width as elytra; elytra without darker transverse band

Epitrix rileyi 0

Epitrix rileyi

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Body dark rufous to testaceous, pronotum often with patches of lighter rufous Pronotal punctures separated by their diameter or more; pronotum often tinged with dark red collected in three large series from expeditions on the Emory Pe

Epitrix robusta 0

Epitrix robusta

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Body completely piceous Type Locality: Chilpancingo in Guerrero, Mexico

Epuraea aestiva

Nitidulidae

Length about 3 mm. This is a very small amber brown beetle. 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

Epuraea alternans

Nitidulidae

Identification: https://mczbase.mcz.harvard.edu/name/Epuraea+alternans" target="_blank">Holotype see Connell (1974)

Epuraea avara

Nitidulidae

Epuraea avara (Epuraea avara) 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 Epuraeinae, suborder Polyphaga, superfamily Cucujoidea. Th

Epuraea eximia

Nitidulidae

Identification: the oversized apical antennomere is diagnostic ( Holotype ); the only other Epuraea with this characteristic is E. aestiva , which is smaller (2.5‒3.5 mm), much more convex, and has simple male mesotibiae

Epuraea linearis

Nitidulidae

Epuraea linearis (Epuraea linearis) 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 Epuraeinae, suborder Polyphaga, superfamily Cucujoid

Epuraea melanocephala

Nitidulidae

Size about 2.5 mm. A small brown species rather similar in appearance to other members of the genus but possible to identify with care. Unless identified by a recognised expert, photographic evidence is required and the specimen should be examined wi

Epuraea melina

Nitidulidae

A small chestnut brown or red-brown beetle. 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 siz

Epuraea obliqua

Nitidulidae

In Quebec, most specimens were caught by beating blushing Pinus branches.

Epuraea ocularis

Nitidulidae

Epuraea ocularis (Epuraea ocularis) 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 Epuraeinae, suborder Polyphaga, superfamily Cucujoid

Epuraea peltoides

Nitidulidae

Epuraea peltoides (Epuraea peltoides) 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 Epuraeinae, suborder Polyphaga, superfamily Cucujo

Epuraea planulata

Nitidulidae

Epuraea planulata (Epuraea planulata) 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 Epuraeinae, suborder Polyphaga, superfamily Cucujo

Epuraea populi

Nitidulidae

Identification: Dorsal surface dark piceous black with long conspicuous decumbent silvery pubescence, densely punctate, shining; pronotum with sides broadly explanate, feebly arcuate, a little narrowed before the subrectangular hind angles, the base

Epuraea rufa

Nitidulidae

Epuraea rufa (Epuraea rufa) 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 Epuraeinae, suborder Polyphaga, superfamily Cucujoidea. This

Epuraea rufomarginata

Nitidulidae

Epuraea rufomarginata (Epuraea rufomarginata) 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 Epuraeinae, suborder Polyphaga, superfamil

Epuraea silacea

Nitidulidae

A smallish brown beetle; the markings, when present, may vary considerably. 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 me

Epuraea truncatella

Nitidulidae

Epuraea truncatella (Epuraea truncatella) 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 Epuraeinae, suborder Polyphaga, superfamily Cu

Ereboporus naturaconservatus

Dytiscidae

three specimens collected in drift nets (300–500 µm) over two spring orifices of Caroline Springs, the headwaters of Independence Creek, Terrell County, Texas.

Erepsocassis rubella

Chrysomelidae

Identification: color: Yellow or red-brown uncommon

Eretes explicitus

Dytiscidae

Type Locality: Balmorhea State Park, Texas, VII-7-1963, P.J. Spangler

Erichsonius nanus

Staphylinidae

Externally similar to the European E. cinerascens (Gravenhorst); best distinguished via male genitalia

Ernobius opicus

Ptinidae

Identification: Very similar to E. granulatus, but 5th antennal segment longer than 4th and subequal to 3rd. Elytra "less shining" than head and pronotum. Genitalia illustrated by Ford Noted as a rare species. Briefly discussed by Ford.

Eronyxa expansus

Lophocateridae

Identification: pronotal & elytral margins equally explanate

Eronyxa pallidus

Lophocateridae

Identification: Black forms are all males, and much smaller in size than brown females or males

Eros humeralis

Lycidae

Identification: Quoting : Base of elytra and each side of thorax yellowish; transverse carina between the front and hind rows of cells strong, sinuate.... Resembles [Benibotarus] thoracicus ) in color, but distinguished by having six cells on thorax,

Erotides sculptilis

Lycidae

Identification: Elytra black/piceous with 4 ridges each; pronotum with prominent ridged cells.

Erynephala texana

Chrysomelidae

Erynephala was revised recently (Groll, et al. 2021) . Our specimens from the Texas coast are now E. texana (Schaeffer). This name was restored as valid species, removed from synonymy with maritima. Erynephala maritima does not officially occur in Te

Eschatocrepis constrictus

Melyridae

Identification: shape of pronotum diagnostic ― Adriean Mayor

Essostrutha laeta

Cerambycidae

Identification: variable ( Cerambycidae Catalog ) US record based on one specimen: TX: Hidalgo Co., Mission, June, 1982. It was captured in flight at a golf course ( 3 )

Esthesopus parcus

Elateridae

Identification: Det. B. Mathison, 2018 Type coll'ed by Horn at Camp Grant, AZ

Esthesopus pusio

Elateridae

Identification: A smaller and more depressed species than any in our fauna.

Eubulus obliquefasciatus

Curculionidae

Eubulus obliquefasciatus (Eubulus obliquefasciatus) 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 Cryptorhynchinae, tribe Cryptor

Eubulus parochus

Curculionidae

Identification: Most individuals are easily recognized by their larger size but small specimens are difficult to separate from larger E. bisignatus

Eucaerus varicornis

Carabidae

Identification: Holotype The key in erroneously states "antennomeres 6‒11 white, contrasted markedly with more or less piceous antennomeres 1‒5". Actually, antennomeres 7‒11 are white; 1‒6, piceous

Eucalandra mexicana

Curculionidae

Identification: Last couplet: Pronotum (Fig. 7) deeply, very densely and uniformly punctate; body lacking any broad flat scales; elytra with intervals deeply, densely uniformly punctate; front tibia with subapical tooth similar in size and form to ap

Eucalyptus Snout Beetle

Gonipterus scutellatus

Curculionidae

Eucalyptus Snout Beetle (Gonipterus scutellatus) 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 Gonipterinae, suborder Polyphaga,

Eucanthus greeni

Geotrupidae

Literature record only for TX. Ratcliffe gives the range of this species as "... Alberta and Manitoba in Canada south to Texas." We are not aware of specific records for Texas but given its known range, it is expected to occur in the Texas Panhandle.

Eucanthus impressus

Geotrupidae

Identification: median row of pronotal punctures extends down through the pronotal ridge, almost to the head

Eucanthus lazarus

Geotrupidae

Identification: median row of pronotal punctures does not extend down through the lateral pronotal ridge to the head Det. M. A. Quinn, 2014

Eucanthus subtropicus

Geotrupidae

Identification: lateral edge of eye canthus protruding Det. M. A. Quinn, 2012 Fairly common at lights, apparently not attracted to fermenting baits

Euceratocerus gibbifrons

Ptinidae

Identification: 3rd antennal segment clearly branched in male. seemingly rare

Euceratocerus parvus

Ptinidae

Identification: This species differs from the other 2 species in the genus ( hornii LeC. and gibbifrons White) in the smaller size and the more strongly pectinate male antenna. It is 2.9 to 3.4 mm long; the other two species range from 3.2 to 5.9 mm

Eucicones marginalis

Zopheridae

Eucicones marginalis (Eucicones marginalis) is a species in the family Zopheridae, commonly known as ironclad beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Colydiinae, tribe Synchitini, suborder Polyphaga

Eucinetus morio

Eucinetidae

Eucinetus morio (Eucinetus morio) is a species in the family Eucinetidae, commonly known as plate-thigh beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the suborder Polyphaga, superfamily Scirtoidea. This species belongs

Euderces bicinctus

Cerambycidae

Euderces bicinctus is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It was described by Linsley in 1935.

Euderces picipes

Cerambycidae

Identification: pronotum with distinct, longitudinal rugae [striae]; ivory callus of elytron nearly always [slightly] oblique [vs. at right angle] (couplet 118) - uncommon red forms, mostly present in the Gulf states

Euderces pini

Cerambycidae

Identification: ant mimic; the only eastern sp. with post-median elytral fasciae in deep grooves (median fascia oblique in E. picipes , transverse in E. reichei ) --T.C. MacRae, 21.iv.2008 - uncommon black form Det. M. Quinn, 2010 - Det. Michael C. T

Euderces reichei

Cerambycidae

Identification: granulate pronotum w/o defined longitudinal rugae, ivory elytral lines nearly always transverse [at right angle to elytral edge] - no black form

Eudiagogus pulcher

Curculionidae

Identification: Pronotum with transversal pale band. Outer elytral band linear, branched to side in about middle:

Eudiagogus rosenschoeldi

Curculionidae

Identification: pronotum lacking transversal band, elytral outer band mottled Det. M. A. Quinn, 2012

Euglenes pygmaeus

Aderidae

Euglenes pygmaeus (Euglenes pygmaeus) is a species in the family Aderidae, commonly known as ant-like leaf beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the tribe Euglenesini, suborder Polyphaga, superfamily Tenebriono

Eugnamptus cinctus

Attelabidae

Identification: reddish- to yellowish-brown, usually with darker lateral stripe on each elytron, broadening posterad in females to cover entire elytral apices recognized by the brownish color, lateral stripes (when present) and the prominent frontal

Eugnamptus pallidus

Attelabidae

Identification: last key couplet: Head and thorax finely punctured, front sulcate; color pale testaceous. Type Locality: Huachuca Mts., Arizona A specimen from Texas (Belfrage) seems to fit the description of this species. , note Belfrage was mostly

Eugnamptus pseudonigriventris

Attelabidae

Identification: bicolored; head (including rostrum and antennae), prothorax, scutellum, mesothorax and legs (except metacoxae) yellowish to reddish orange, antennal club and extremities of legs darker; metasternum and ab domen brownish-black to black

Eugnamptus punctatus

Attelabidae

Identification: Head strongly punctured; elytral interspaces convex, not wider than the striae; prothorax strongly punctured, medially depressed or sulcate. Black, thorax red, elytra nigrocoeruleous, typical variety, female. Entirely black, elytra ni

Eugnamptus puncticeps

Attelabidae

Identification: last key couplet: Interspaces almost flat; strial punctures round, less crowded; head strongly punctured; front more or less sulcate; testaceous, elytra sometimes piceous black or clouded. Type Locality: Illinois

Eugnamptus sheila 0

Eugnamptus sheila

Attelabidae

Identification: bicolored; head (including rostrum), prothorax, scutellum, and mesothorax yellowish to reddish-orange; all other parts brownish-black; base of prothorax, scutellum, mesothorax and rostrum variably darkened; some times with dark line a

Eugnamptus striatus

Attelabidae

Identification: easily recognized by the bicolored body, round deeply impressed striae and the strongly convex elytral intervals Det. Jeff Eickwort, 2024 Type Locality: Haulover, Brevard County, Florida; Messrs. Hubbard and Schwarz.

Eugonus bicolor

Anthribidae

Eugonus bicolor is a species of fungus weevil in the beetle family Anthribidae. It is found in Central America and North America.

Eulepton burkei

Chrysomelidae

Type Locality: TEXAS: Pecos Co., 28 mi. S Ft. Stockton, hwy. 385 rest stop, IV-19-1997, E. Riley-469, on Quercus mohriana

Euoniticellus intermedius

Scarabaeidae

Identification: males armed, color varies from straw to dark brown Det. M. A. Quinn, 2011 Intentionally introduced from Africa into Texas during the early 1970s for dung removal

Euophryum confine

Curculionidae

2.5 to 3.6mm. Elongate, parallel and very convex, entirely dark brown or with legs and humeral spot lighter. Upper surface with very fine and sparse pubescence. Head behind eyes smooth and very finely punctate, rest of head coarsely punctate, eyes ve

Euparixia duncani

Scarabaeidae

Identification: Pronotum constricted only in posterior one- third, the posterior angles prominent and acute Type Locality: Globe, Arizona

Euparixia moseri

Scarabaeidae

Type Locality: Melder, Louisiana; Label: 2' deep in nest of Atta texana ; collected by John C. Moser.

Euphoria anneae

Scarabaeidae

Type Locality: Holotype, male, two miles south Olmos Creek and U.S. Rt. 77, [Kenedy Co.], Texas, May 31, 1954. H. F. Howden and W. Cloyd. (Type deposited in U.S. National Museum.) Paratype, male, same data as type (Howden collection). (Howden 1955)

Euphoria basalis

Scarabaeidae

Identification: difficult to confuse with any other sp. of Euphoria considered a pest of cotton, melon, pumpkin, and sunflower in Mex. "I see it a few times a year heading our way as a truck hitchhiker from Mexico." (J. Leavengood, pers. comm. to MAQ

Euphoria casselberryi

Scarabaeidae

Type Locality: Davis Mountains, Jeff Davis Co., Texas (Robinson, 1937). The single specimen Riley and Wolfe (2003) examined was from the Davis Mountains Resort area Davis Mts., at ca. 5800 ft. (Jeff Davis County), taken during June. ( 3 ) Texas consi

Euphoria devulsa

Scarabaeidae

Identification: Elytral striae bearing 3 evenly spaced rows of lunulate punctures (Fig. 5a). Pygidium at apex sexually dimorphic, rounded in males, acuminate in females distinguished from other species in the group by the subquadrate clypeus, striae

Euphoria pilipennis

Scarabaeidae

Euphoria pilipennis (Euphoria pilipennis) is a species in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as scarab beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Cetoniinae, tribe Cetoniini, suborder Polyphaga, s

Euphoria schottii 0

Euphoria schottii

Scarabaeidae

Identification: syntype only 8 specimens known (none recently collected), including types

Euphorticus pubescens

Carabidae

Euphorticus pubescens (Euphorticus pubescens) is a species in the family Carabidae, commonly known as ground beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Harpalinae, tribe Lachnophorini, suborder Adephag

Euphrytus intermedius

Chrysomelidae

Identification: paired rear sternal tufts diagnostic (E.G. Riley, pers. comm., 2013 to MAQ)

Euplectus acomanus

Staphylinidae

Identification: DS Chandler: "Looks about the same as E. duryi . When a male specimen is before me, duryi has a smaller impression on a shorter sternite VI, acomanus with an impression maybe twice as wide and a bit longer ventrite VI." Aedeagus disti

Eupogonius fulvovestitus

Cerambycidae

Type Series: Three specimens from Brownsville, Texas: Esperanza Ranch, Las Boragos, and Tolusa.

Eupogonius subarmatus

Cerambycidae

Eupogonius subarmatus is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It was described by LeConte in 1859. It is known from eastern North America.

Eupogonius tomentosus

Cerambycidae

Identification: reddish brown integument, w irregular patches of tawny pubescence on eltyra Det. M. A. Quinn, 2010 Attracted to UV lights

Eupompha elegans

Meloidae

Identification: Black head & thorax; elytra may be variably marked with black and orange, some dark blue populations. (Evans & Hogue, description and photo )

Eupompha fissiceps

Meloidae

Identification: elytra can be coppery (or blue): head can be dark: Can be locally abundant but spotty and not seen every year. (E.G. Riley, pers. comm. to MAQ)

Eupompha schwarzi

Meloidae

Identification: "The color varies quite a bit in this species -- the pronotum and head go from almost entirely orange to entirely black -- more orange in AZ and NV than CA." - John Pinto

Eupompha viridis

Meloidae

Identification: Whole body and elytra metallic green. Elytra with intervals not raised. ( 3 ) Type Locality: New Mexico not treated in Dillion (1952) ( 6 )

Eupompha wenzeli

Meloidae

Identification: Head, thorax, and legs red; elytra metallic green or blue, elytra with "a scintillating appearance" Dets. F. Werner, 1976 rare in collections, Pinto made repeated attempts to discover E. wenzeli in the field from 1971-78 and was final

Eurhoptus pyriformis

Curculionidae

Eurhoptus pyriformis (Eurhoptus pyriformis) 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 Cryptorhynchinae, tribe Cryptorhynchini

Eurhoptus rileyi

Curculionidae

Type Locality: USA: TEX: Hidalgo Co. / Bentsen R.G.V.S.P. (site 1) / 26.17830°N, 98.38577°W / IX.6–19.2008, FIT-ground / J. King & E. Riley – 0104 / cedar elm forest

European Elm Flea Weevil

Orchestes alni

Curculionidae

A very small (2.5 to 3.5mm) weevil. Each red/orange wing case (elytron) usually has two or more dark blotches, which gives this weevil a rather ladybird like appearance, but it is easily distinguished as a weevil by the distinctive long snout (rostru

European Oak Borer

Agrilus sulcicollis

Buprestidae

Identification: Discriminating A. sulcicollis from A. cyanescens ( Zablotny yyyy? ) earliest NA record: ON 1995; earliest US record: MI 2003 ( Haack et al. 2010 )