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)

Hypasclera floridana 0

Hypasclera floridana

Oedemeridae

Identification: last key couplet: Elytra entirely pale, without vittae Type Locality: One specimen. Biscayne Bay, Florida. (Schwarz.)

Hypasclera pleuralis 0

Hypasclera pleuralis

Oedemeridae

Identification: Each elytron with [a single] lateral vitta dark and contrasting with pale area not sure why this sp. hasn't been imaged given it's wide distribution.

Hypera meles

Curculionidae

A medium-sized, 3.9 to 4.8 mm, weevil with strongly rounded pronotum and parallel-sided elytra, usually showing a light and dark brown elytral pattern which may vary in intensity. Unless identified by a recognised expert, photographic evidence is req

Hypera rumicis

Curculionidae

Size 4 or 5 mm. A pale buff coloured weevil with variable darker brown markings on the elytra. Has flat scales and a few flattened bristles. Usually found on docks. See ID guidance below for more details. Unless identified by a recognised expert, goo

Hyperaspidius andrewsi 0

Hyperaspidius andrewsi

Coccinellidae

Identification: Form elongate, slender, narrowed posteriorly, lateral margin of elytron feebly curved. Head and pronotum yellow, pronotum with base narrowly black medially, 4 maculae present in basal I. Elytron yellow with sutural margin narrowly bla

Hyperaspidius comparatus

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures Type Locality: Alameda Co., California

Hyperaspidius flavocephalus 0

Hyperaspidius flavocephalus

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's Figures Type Locality: Dunedin, Fla W.S.B. Coll. 3-27-18

Hyperaspidius hardyi

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures - "This species has the facies of a member of Hyperaspis rather than Hyperaspidius because of the round, convex body shape. On that basis alone this species is quite distinctive, also the coarse punctures on the elytr

Hyperaspidius ingenitus

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures - Form oblong, lateral margin of elytron feebly curved Type locality: Las Cruces, New Mexico

Hyperaspidius insignis

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's Figs - The pale pronotum and head in both sexes along with the usually large, robust body form distinguish H. insignis from other members of the vittigerus group. No known species occurring in the same geographic area is simi

Hyperaspidius marginatus

Coccinellidae

Identification: Form oblong, lateral margin of elytron feebly curved. Pronotum of male black or dark brown with nebulous black areas in basal, always with lateral margin narrowly yellow; female pronotum entirely black except anterior angle obscurely

Hyperaspidius militaris

Coccinellidae

Identification: Pronotum of male yellow with obscure brownish yellow maculation in basal I; pronotum of female black with lateral border narrowly yellow. Elytron yellow except broad sutural border brown or black, short vitta present on humerus Gordon

Hyperaspidius nanellus

Coccinellidae

Type Locality: Brownsville, Cameron Co., TX, VII, Wickham

Hyperaspidius oblongus

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figure Type Locality: El Paso, Texas. Described from four spmns.

Hyperaspidius pallescens

Coccinellidae

Identification: Form oblong, lateral margin of elytron distinctly curved. Pronotum of male yellow with indistinct yellowish brown maculation; pronotum of female uniformly yellowish brown except lateral margin narrowly yellow. Elytron with 2 broad, ye

Hyperaspidius shauli

Coccinellidae

Identification: Form oblong, elongate, extremely parallel sided, strongly dorso-ventrally flattened. Pronotum of male yellow with nebulous brown maculation in basal; female pronotum mostly yellow with median brown area. Elytron brown with complete ye

Hyperaspidius transfugatus

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures Type locality: Mount Tom, Hampden, Massachusetts

Hyperaspidius venustulus

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's Figure - Pronotum yellowish red, elytron black with 4 yellow spots. considered to be rare ( comment by Michael C. Thomas, 2008 )

Hyperaspidius vittigerus

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures Type locality: "Missouri Territory"

Hyperaspis aemulator

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures Type locality: Nogales, Santa Cruz Co., Arizona

Hyperaspis bensonica

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures Type locality: Benson, Cochise Co., Arizona

Hyperaspis bigeminata

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures Elytra with a large red or yellow apical spot; a large pale spot occupying entire lateral area of pronotum. One of the most common arboreal coccinellids in Oak-Juniper Woodlands of c. TX

Hyperaspis binotata

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures - all from Okla. Dets. R. Gordon a common, widespread species recognized with certainty only from male genitalia

Hyperaspis bolteri

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures - "The highly distinctive color pattern and extremely dull pronotal surface characterize this species." Type Locality: Illinois

Hyperaspis brunnescens

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures - Pronotum of male mostly dull yellow; pronotum of female brownish black with indistinct, yellow lateral border. Elytron brownish black with 2 vittae, one complete marginal vitta and oblique discal vitta (Fig. 446 c).

Hyperaspis caseyi

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures Type Locality: Thurber, Erath Co., Texas

Hyperaspis connectens

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures According to Gordon (as discussed here ): Broad yellow areas on the sides of the pronotum (the part between the head and the wings) and a pair of spots on each side of the elytra. The spots are usually- but not always

Hyperaspis conspirans

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures Type Locality: Nogales, Santa Cruz Co., AZ

Hyperaspis conviva

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures "This is the most easily recognized species in the [Hyperaspis] signata group because of the dorsoventrally flattened, elongate form which is characteristic of most females and many of the males." Type locality: South

Hyperaspis cruenta

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures - Elytron with single marginal spot of varying size Type Locality: Dallas, Texas

Hyperaspis disrupta

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures Because of the different type of male genitalia, Gordon considered H. disrupta a valid species rather than a subspecies of H. bensonica

Hyperaspis haematosticta

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's Figures - The combination of elongate body and elytral color pattern makes H. haematosticta a reasonably distinctive species in the geographic region in which it occurs. Type Locality: Santa Fe, NM

Hyperaspis imitator

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's Figures - Pronotum black with lateral area yellow; elytron black with discal spot and lateral yellow villa from base to apex Holotype. Male. TEXAS: Bexar Co., San Antonio, Olmos Park, 28-VI-1947, B. E. White Coll., sweeping C

Hyperaspis inedita

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures - Pronotum with broad lateral area yellow/orange. Elytron single red spot of variable size, rarely immaculate the center of discal spots are caudad to middle of length

Hyperaspis jovialis

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures - Color pattern on elytron variable from black with 2 orange spots to mostly orange with black border and enclosed black spot

Hyperaspis leachi

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures - The orange spot on the elytron nearly reaches the lateral margin

Hyperaspis lewisi

Hyperaspis lewisii

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures - Elytron with large, yellow, discal spot extending from or near lateral margin nearly to suture

Hyperaspis oculifera

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures "This little species is very distinctive because of the unusual toothed apical margin of the prosternum and the male genitalia which, although of the bigeminata type, have the basal lobe quite divergent from the norma

Hyperaspis pinguis

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's Figures Description as for H. lateralis except pronotum of male with broad lateral area yellow; female pronotum with large, triangular lateral area yellow; elytron with subhumeral spot large, reaching humeral callus

Hyperaspis querquesi

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's Figures Type locality: Bird Observation Station, Marin Co., California.

Hyperaspis revocans

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's Figures - The paired basal spots of the elytra, especially when united with the discal spots, make H. revocans easily recognizable. The occasional specimen that lacks both spots or has only the discal spot is more difficult t

Hyperaspis rivularis

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures - Color pattern as described for H. proba except elytron with single yellow or orange discal spot either round or elongate, often very large. female pronotal pattern is like that of many species in the bigeminata grou

Hyperaspis rotunda

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures Species described by Casey from a single specimen (male) collected at "St. Thomas" (now the Sabal Palm Sanctuary ), Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas. Texas considers this to be a "Species of Greatest Conservation Need"

Hyperaspis schaefferi

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures PARATYPE Type Locality: Esperanza Ranch, Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas, VII.30

Hyperaspis significans

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures - Elytron entirely black or with single spot of varying size on lateral margin The form with maculate elytra (significans) and the form with immaculate elytra (concurrens) often occur together without intergrades. Typ

Hyperaspis triangulum

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures this singular spmn, without a det. label, sits in Hyperaspis triangulum Casey, 1899 unit tray in the USNM/NMNH. the spots positionally, but not proportionally, are match for Gordon's H. triangulum figure, except for t

Hyperaspis trifurcata

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures - The elytral color pattern is somewhat variable, but always distinctive for this species. Types: One female collected by [Schaeffer] in Brownsville, Texas; another female and one male in Dietz's collection, the forme

Hyperaspis wickhami

Coccinellidae

Identification: pronotum broadly yellow in both sexes - Gordon's figures Type locality: Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas

Hyperplatys femoralis

Cerambycidae

Hyperplatys femoralis (Hyperplatys femoralis) 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 Acanthocinini, suborder Poly

Hyperplatys maculata

Cerambycidae

Identification: quite variable, numerous small black elytral spots, usually has pale elytral stripes, dark lateral stripe (often not visible from above), and always has large posterior spots Det. Marlin E. Rice, 2020

Hypexilis pallida

Cerambycidae

Identification: Det. M.A. QUinn, 2011 common at lights

Hyphydrus ovatus

Dytiscidae

Length around 4.5 mm. The small oval/globular form and dark red to brown colouration are distinctive. Some have vague elytral patterning at the margins, especially in teneral specimens. Hyphydrus aubei is a similar size and shape but has a much more

Hypocaccus iris

Histeridae

Hypocaccus iris (Hypocaccus iris) is a species in the family Histeridae, commonly known as clown beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Saprininae, tribe Hypocaccini, suborder Polyphaga, superfamil

Hypothenemus californicus

Curculionidae

Identification: Distinguished from other members of the genus in our area by the combination of coarse, deep punctures on posterolateral area of pronotum, slender body form, and long slender interstrial scales earliest record in our area: CA 1895

Hypothenemus miles

Curculionidae

Identification: Distinguished from all other American Hypothenemus by the narrowly produced, hornlike, anterior marginal asperity, with no other marginal teeth.

Hypothyce mixta

Scarabaeidae

Identification: PARATYPE Type Locality: Tennessee colony, Anderson Co., TX Paratypes cited by Howden are from other localities in Anderson County, as well as in Harris, Nacogdoches and Wood counties. Hardy added Gonzales county. Currently only one sp

Iccius cylindricus

Tenebrionidae

Known in US from 10 records: 2 OSUC, 2 USNM, 1 TAMUIC. 4 BG data, 1 iNat data under-reported south of the border as it is usually unidentified and sorted in with non-tenebrionid taxa. (M. Ivie, pers. comm. to MAQ, 2011)

Idaho Ice Cave Beetle

Glacicavicola bathyscioides

Leiodidae

Identification: the most modified cave-adapted beetle in NA

Idiopidonia pedalis

Cerambycidae

Identification: dull, pubescent pronotum w narrow shiny midline Hind tibia distinctly longer than hind femur; long first hind tarsal segment Type Locality: Lake Superior

Iliotona cacti

Histeridae

Identification: Prosternum carinate, acutely produced anteriorly; teeth of meso- & metatibiae equally spaced separates Iliotona from Hololepta

Ilybiosoma bjorkmanae

Dytiscidae

Identification: Color dark brown to black Pronotum constricted at the base, discontinuous in outline with the elytra.

Ilybius ater

Dytiscidae

A fairly large smooth blackish water beetle. Always associated with aquatic environments, but flies well and can be attracted to light. The typical habitat is emergent vegetation in shallow water at the edge of ponds, lakes ditches etc. All year roun

Ilybius discors

Dytiscidae

Identification: lectotype Externally similar to I. austrodiscors Larson, a n.CA endemic

Ilybius fenestratus

Dytiscidae

Length approx. 11 mm. This species has dark colouration and a broad-oval shape which is widest behind the middle. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box

Ilybius fuliginosus

Dytiscidae

A 10 to 12 mm long dark brown bronze diving beetle with pale yellow stripes along the margins of the elytra. Permanent water which is vegetated, including rivers, canals, drainage ditches, ponds and lakes. It flies well and may be attracted to light.

Ilybius subaeneus

Dytiscidae

This family of water beetles is related to the ground beetles, but are much modified for life in water. Adults and larvae are fiercely carnivorous. Fairly frequent and widespread in much of Britain except the extreme north. No additional images avail

Ilybius wasastjernae

Dytiscidae

Ilybius wasastjernae (Ilybius wasastjernae) is a species in the family Dytiscidae, commonly known as predaceous diving beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Agabinae, tribe Agabini, suborder Adeph

Imported Long-horned Weevil

Calomycterus setarius

Curculionidae

Identification: see detailed description in may be very abundant on soybean crops and defoliate the seedlings ; when abundant, they crawl on humans, vehicles and in dwellings on walls, ceilings, furniture or even food on tables, and can cause complai

Indiana Lady Beetle

Scymnus indianensis

Coccinellidae

Identification: "The combination of small size, mostly black pronotum, and postcoxal line not reaching the hind margin of the first sternum will usually distinguish indianensis without dissection of genitalia."

Ipelates latus

Agyrtidae

Ipelates latus is a species of primitive carrion beetle in the family Agyrtidae. It is found in North America.

Iris Flea Beetle

Aphthona nonstriata

Chrysomelidae

At 2.5 to 3 mm this is the largest member of the genus. It is more or less unicoloured - a dark metallic blue, green or bronze. The elytra have 'shoulders'. The antennae are dark apically but segments 2, 3 and the apical part of 1 are paler. The legs

Iron Cross Blister Beetle

Tegrodera latecincta

Meloidae

Identification: Differs from its two congeners in having a somewhat longer (from front-to-back) black transverse stripe across the elytra than the others (taking up about 1/5 the elytral length)...as well as in a few other less conspicuous characters

Ironweed Curculio

Rhodobaenus tredecimpunctatus

Curculionidae

Identification: elytra and pronotum red with black spots that don't coalesce and don't form patches

Ischalia costata

Ischaliidae

Ischalia costata (Ischalia costata) is a species in the family Ischaliidae, commonly known as broad-hipped flower beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Ischaliinae, suborder Polyphaga, superfamily

Ischnomera cyanea

Oedemeridae

This beetle is about 12 mm long with bright iridescent blue/green elytra (wing cases), which sometimes gape to expose the body or wings. The top sections of its back legs are quite swollen. Adults are found on many flowers including those of Hogweed

Ischnomera puncticollis

Oedemeridae

Identification: Claws toothed at base; pronotum with 3 deep impressions arranged in a triangle and with a large central dark spot ( 3 )

Ischnomera ruficollis

Oedemeridae

Identification: all black except dull red pronotum; each elytron with 3 ridges Type Locality: "Missouri nr. Rocky Mts."

Ischnopterapion loti

Apionidae

A small (2 to 2.5 mm) dark grey or blackish weevil. There are several similar species and detailed examination is required to reach a safe identification. Unless identified by a recognised expert, photographic evidence is required and the specimen sh

Ischnosoma flavicolle

Staphylinidae

Ischnosoma flavicolle (Ischnosoma flavicolle) is a species in the family Staphylinidae, commonly known as rove beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Mycetoporinae, suborder Polyphaga, superfamily

Ischnosoma virginicum

Staphylinidae

Identification: Close to I. flavicolle but lacking an apical palisade fringe of setae on the margin of the seventh tergite of the abdomen. Males of I. virgnicum may be readily distinguished from those of all other species of the Pictum group by the d

Ischyropalpus occidentalis

Anthicidae

one of the most commonly coll'ed (via beating) beetle sp. at Laguna Atascosa NWR, Rio Hondo, Cameron Co., TX ( 3 )

Ischyropalpus subtilissimus

Anthicidae

Ischyropalpus subtilissimus is a species of antlike flower beetle in the family Anthicidae. It is found in North America.

Isochnus sequensi

Curculionidae

A tiny (2.0-2.5mm) black weevil with a white scutellum, pale tarsi and tibiae and yellow/red fore and mid femora. The antennal funiculus is six-segmented. The larvae feed on willow leaves, forming brown blotch mines. The adult must be reared out to i

Isodacrys ovipennis

Curculionidae

Identification: Most similar to I. burkei , but no ocular tooth on the prothorax. Elytral intervals 2 & 5 tumid at apex. Lectotype: Esperanza Ranch, Brownsville, Tex. VII.28, Brooklyn Museum Collection 1929

Isodrusus debilis

Curculionidae

First US record reported by Green (1920) from the Davis Mountains of west Texas.

Isomira murina

Tenebrionidae

7mm. Variable colouring, with the elytra being either brown or black. The pronotum is black and rounded from the head to the elytra creating a more or less continuous outline. Legs are brown. Common and widespread, especially along the coasts. No add

Isorhipis obliqua

Eucnemidae

Identification: Elongate, narrow, bicolored. Head, pronotum, underside mostly dark brown or black, appendages lighter. Antennomeres 4-10 flabellate in male, serrate in female. Pronotum with narrow groove limited to basal half. Elytra with distinct an

Japanese Cedar Longhorn Beetle

Callidiellum rufipenne

Cerambycidae

Identification: dorsal habitus earliest record in our area: BC 1927 (Hoebeke 1999)

Japanese Fungus Weevil

Ozotomerus japonicus

Anthribidae

i found one of these familiar-looking anthribids (i've seen a lot in the Far East) in Essex Co., NJ before i joined BG and became familiar with the nearctic fauna. i didn't think much of it: after all, many genera exhibit the E Asia + e NA distributi

Jonthonota mexicana

Chrysomelidae

Type Locality: Ventanas, Durango, Mexico uncommon (BG data)

Judolia instabilis

Cerambycidae

Identification: Rather variable, with elytral patterns ranging from all-black to pale yellow with black spots (see Internet References below for photos of type specimen).

Judolia montivagans

Cerambycidae

Identification: Pronotum black. Elytra black with cream to pale yellow marks. Wide cream stripe from base to about mid wing, lower border jagged and with 2 or 3 black oval marks through the middle – may vary. 2nd cream stripe on lower wings, both top

Judolia swainei

Cerambycidae

Judolia swainei is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It was described by Hopping in 1922.

Jumping Weevil

Orchestes testaceus

Curculionidae

The adult is 2.7 to 3.6 mm. The larva of Orchestes testaceus mines the leaves of Alder species. Initially a gallery is formed which runs towards the leaf edge from a vein or midrib. The gallery widens quickly and then becomes a blotch - a spherical c

Juniper Metallic Wood-boring Beetle

Juniperella mirabilis

Buprestidae

Juniperella mirabilis is a species of beetle in the family Buprestidae, the only species in the genus Juniperella.

Kansas Lady Beetle

Scymnus kansanus

Coccinellidae

Identification: Last couplet in Gordon's key: "Form elongate, sides of elytra parallel at least medially; Pronotum narrower than elytra at base; male with last sternum barely perceptibly impressed" Type Locality: Kansas

Kateretes pusillus

Kateretidae

This is a small, Soft-winged Flower Beetle and measures around 2.5mm. Usually a very dark, almost blackish brown with patches of orange but the amounts of each colour may vary considerably. Prefers damp conditions and is often found on sedges. Local

Keitheatus blakeae

Chrysomelidae

Type Locality: Big Bend State Park, Chisos Mts., Brewster County, Texas, July 12 to 16, 1941. At the time of discovery there were actually millions of the beetles available. A single blow on the host plant would completely cover the beating sheet and

Kidney-spot Ladybird

Chilocorus renipustulatus

Coccinellidae

The Kidney-spot Ladybird has a black body with a large red spot on each wing casing (elytron). The antennae and underside are orange. The wing casings have a distinctly flattened flange all the way round. It is quite a small ladybird at about 5 mm. U

Klamath Weed Beetle

Chrysolina quadrigemina

Chrysomelidae

Introduced from Australia in 1944 to combat Klamath weed (it could not be obtained from Europe because of war).