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)

Neobidessus youngi

Dytiscidae

Identification: The modified hind trochanters are distinctive. Otherwise, a lightly marked species similar to N. pulloides .

Neobisnius occidentoides

Staphylinidae

Type Locality: Lake Corpus Christi State Park, San Patricio Co., Texas

Neobrotica pluristicta

Chrysomelidae

Type Locality: Baboquivari Mountains, southern Arizona

Neocallotillus elegans

Cleridae

Identification: Neocallotillus spp. are the only tillines of N. Amer. with the elytral surface adorned with a pale transverse, blister-like, swollen fascia.

Neochlamisus velutinus

Chrysomelidae

Neochlamisus velutinus is a species of warty leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in Central America and North America.

Neochodaeus frontalis

Ochodaeidae

Identification: Frontal tubercle on head behind anterior margin (not on margin); hind femur with large tooth near apex.

Neoclytus jouteli

Cerambycidae

Identification: Neoclytus j. simplarius Blatchley Det. M. A. Quinn, 2016 both subspp./ color forms are uncommon ( 6 )

Neoclytus mucronatus

Cerambycidae

Identification: Pronotum (thorax) Reddish-brown in central area, darkening toward all margins. Yellow stripe outlines all borders of thorax. Elytra (wings) Reddish-brown. Yellow slanted L-shape covers first 1/3 of elytra. Wide sideways U-shape on low

Neoclytus scutellaris

Cerambycidae

Identification: Elytra have gray bases. Pronotum has yellow band.

Neocoenorrhinus germanicus

Rhynchitidae

This is a dark blue-black shiny weevil with a body length of about 3mm. It is covered in short pubescence which on the elytra is uniformly pointed backwards. Legs and antennae are dark brown.It is distinguished from other species in the genus by the

Neocompsa puncticollis

Cerambycidae

Identification: note elytral setae in rows Neocompsa puncticollis orientalis Martins & Chemsak Det. F. Skillman a single spmn of orientalis coll'ed by Vogt at lights in Pharr, Hidalgo Co., TX in August tentatively ID'd as Neocompsa puncticollis orien

Neocrepidodera transversa

Chrysomelidae

The genus is identified by the transverse furrow across the pronotum. This is an orangey brown flea beetle. N. transversa is distinguished from the similar N. ferruginea by having the elytral pores in ragged lines (compared with the neat, straight li

Neocylloepus boeseli

Elmidae

Identification: PARATYPE Type Locality: Devil's River about 20 mi S of Juno, Val Verde Co., TX - August 1967. Elevation about 1,200 ft. Holotype deposited in OMNH, Norman, OK. (Brown 1970) Texas considers this a "Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Neodimetrota tenuiducta

Staphylinidae

Identification: This species bears close resemblance to A. burwelli, A. curvipennis, and A. caribou, but it can be distinguished from them by differences in the shape of male genitalia and some external characteristics. Females of this species may be

Neofidia humeralis

Chrysomelidae

Neofidia humeralis is a species of leaf beetle. It ranges from southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico, along the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre del Sur, south to Oaxaca in southwestern Mexico. It was first described as two species

Neofidia longipes

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Integument dark; at least one pair of femora bicolored (rarely not so), base lighter reddish compared to darker distal areas; coarse pronotal punctures; males with front tibial spurs separated by at least the width of spur base

Neogalerucella pusilla

Chrysomelidae

Identification: usually pale, with dark spots on vertex and shoulders. less frequently with pattern like N. calmariensis . safe recognition (and separation from native species) by male genitalia. introduced to combat the invasive Lythrum weeds ( 3 )

Neohaemonia flagellata

Chrysomelidae

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

Neohaemonia melsheimeri

Chrysomelidae

Identification: distinguished from other members of the genus by the presence of oblique, impressed, usually darkened bands on either side of the midline of the pronotum, as well as its small size. (Lapierre et al. 2019)

Neohaemonia nigricornis

Chrysomelidae

Neohaemonia nigricornis is a species of aquatic leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae found in North America. Its range includes the northern United States and southern Canada.

Neoharmonia marginalis

Coccinellidae

full A tray of spmns, all from Mexico, in the TAMUIC

Neohydnocera tabida

Cleridae

Identification: tabida's elytra are longer, with more rounded apices. (J. Leavengood, pers. comm. to MAQ, 2014)

Neolema cordata

Chrysomelidae

Identification: elytral anterior maculae coalesce to form a heart-shaped spot

Neolema ephippium

Chrysomelidae

Neolema ephippium is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America.

Neolema quadriguttata

Chrysomelidae

Identification: N. sexpunctata (e.US, 4.8‒6.2 mm) has humeral dark spots & smaller, denser strial punctures

Neolitochrus pulchellus

Phalacridae

Identification: Holotype • distinctive; markings highly variable. ‒Matt Gimmel, 2011

Neolochmaea obliterata

Chrysomelidae

Identification: From Galerucinae: hind femur not abnormally broad and adapted for jumping; tarsal claws simple, or bifid with inner lobe comparatively narrow and pointed; procoxal cavities closed behind; tarsomere 1 about as long as 5; external surfa

Neomida bicornis

Tenebrionidae

Identification: The percentage of individuals with an orange pronotum decreases n. of FL

Neoporus arizonicus

Dytiscidae

Identification: possibly same species as N. dimidiatus

Neoporus pratus

Dytiscidae

Identification: iNaturalist Type Locality: Kansas, Douglas Co., Grant township, Scorpion Hill

Neoporus uniformis

Dytiscidae

Identification: Similar to N. lobatus , and possibly a southern form of this species. "Lighter in color, more coarsely punctate, and more shining and smaller than typical N. lobatus ."

Neopyrochroa femoralis

Pyrochroidae

Identification: all legs bicolored (orange femora, and black beyond the femora)

Neopyrochroa flabellata

Pyrochroidae

Identification: all legs unicolored orange adults primarily nocturnal found under bark, on vegetation in daytime

Neorthopleura texana

Cleridae

Identification: disc of pronotum light brown, pronotal fringes dark brown , overall color pattern is brick and brown Det. M. A. Quinn, 2016 the following is not true antennomeres entirely dark in N. thoracica , funicular segments paler in N. texana a

Neorthopleura thoracica

Cleridae

Identification: pronotal disc is red and the lateral margins are narrowly black , overall color pattern is red and black Det. M. A. Quinn, 2016 the following is not true antennomeres entirely dark in N. thoracica , funicular segments paler in N. texa

Neoscutopterus hornii

Dytiscidae

Identification: Antennae and palpi entirely pale, with little or no darkening; metasternal wing narrow

Nephaspis oculatus

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures ( 3 ) Type locality: Dunedin, Florida ( 3 )

Nephus alyssae

Coccinellidae

Identification: The small size, elytron with single golden central spot, and dorso-ventrally flattened body distinguishes N. alyssae from any other US species of Nephus . (Golia & Golia 2014) TYPE Type Locality: Holotype, female with label data “Flor

Nephus bivulnerus

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures Type Locality: Key West, FL

Nephus flavifrons

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures black with red apical spots (apical spots are yellow in southmost TX) commonly collected, wide spread sp.

Nephus guttulatus

Coccinellidae

Nephus guttulatus (Nephus guttulatus) is a species in the family Coccinellidae, commonly known as lady beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Scymninae, tribe Scymnini, suborder Polyphaga, superfam

Nephus quadrarius

Coccinellidae

Identification: each elytron with 2 yellow spots, one on disc, one on apical thrid Type Locality: Benson, Cochise Co., Arizona

Nephus quadrimaculatus

Coccinellidae

Length: 1.5 to 2 mm. Basic colour is black with four (two pairs) reddish-brown kidney-shaped spots, the front pair being larger than the rear pair. Pronotum and head colour is black. Leg colour: brown. Other features: hairy; abdomen has a reddish-bro

Nephus redtenbacheri 0

Nephus redtenbacheri

Coccinellidae

Identification: externally inseparable from N. ornatus naviculatus earliest record in our area: NS 2024

Nephus timberlakei

Coccinellidae

Identification: Color brownish red, elytron dark brown in basal l/2, dark brown area blended into brownish red of apical area - Gordo's figures Type series, 4 spmns from Brownsville, TX. No males were available for study, so the genitalic affinities

Nesaecrepida infuscata

Chrysomelidae

Nesaecrepida infuscata is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in Central America and North America.

Nettle Weevil

Phyllobius pomaceus

Curculionidae

Length 7-9 mm. This beetle has a metallic green/blue covering of thin, elongate scales which are pointed apically. However the scales easily rub off and older specimens can look almost black. The front femur has a prominent tooth. The rostrum is long

New York Weevil

Ithycerus noveboracensis

Brentidae

rarely encountered but occasionally a pest in orchards

Nicagus obscurus

Lucanidae

usually collected in flight, on sand, or under debris/driftwood. Females tend to be larger and darker.

Nicagus occultus

Lucanidae

Identification: PARATYPE News Release - Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. Dec. 5, 2005 New Beetle Species Discovered at State Park AUSTIN, Texas - Sometimes even the most well-trod ground can yield surprises. That was the case in May when a graduate stude

Nicobium castaneum

Ptinidae

may severely damage softwood (incl. furniture, wood artifacts), books ( 4 ) , and be a pest in museums and libraries ( 3 )

Nicrophorus interruptus

Silphidae

Up to 20mm. Robust and shiny black with two broken orange bands across the abdomen. Antennae are black with orange clubs. All the abdominal segments are fringed with yellow hairs. The hind tibia are straight . Nicrophorus vespillo is similar but with

Nicrophorus investigator

Silphidae

This Sexton, at 26 mm, is somewhat larger than the Common Sexton Beetle ( N. Vespilloides ). This species has dark reddish tips to its antennae. Other identifying features include the absence of hairs on the thorax and straight tibias on the hind leg

Nicrophorus obscurus

Staphylinidae

Identification: can be distinguished from the similar N. guttula by the deeply emarginate outer edge of antennomere 3 and from N. marginatus by the long setae on the anterior face of the procoxa in the basal half

Nicrophorus vespillo

Silphidae

12 to 22 mm. This species is identified by the combination of orange antennal clubs, an interrupted anterior red elytral band, the hind tibia being concave on the inside edge and the presence of golden hairs on the fore margin of the pronotum. Usuall

Nimbus contaminatus

Scarabaeidae

Pronotum fringed with hairs, a bit like false eye-lashes stuck along the rim. This species has a regular pattern of black streaks on the elytra. In contrast, Melinopterus prodromus has quite plain elytra with no black dashes only the dark area of the

Nimbus obliteratus

Scarabaeidae

Length 5 to 7 mm. The elytra are mainly pale brown marked with darker blotches, whilst the head and pronotum are nearly black. There are similar species, particularly Nimbus contaminatus, and detailed examination is necessary for identification. Some

Nine-spotted Lady Beetle

Coccinella novemnotata

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's Figures The spotless form of C. novemnotata may be confused with the bandless form of C. trifasciata subversa . Click on thumbnail for details. C. californica In 1985, Gordon called this sp. "...extremely widespread in North

Niptinus ovipennis

Ptinidae

Identification: note oval shoulders, though most spmns not quite as rounded as this individual Det. E. G. Riley, 2010 Type locality: Described from five examples collected by Mr. Soltau at San Antonio, Texas, in June, and now in the National Museum c

Niptinus unilineatus

Ptinidae

Identification: Very similar to ovipennis , except as follows:

Nipus biplagiatus

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures - Form elongate, parallel-sided, abruptly narrowed posteriorly. Color piceous; large median area of elytron and anterior margin of pronotum yellow, ventral surface yellowish brown. Type locality: Los Angeles, Californ

Nipus niger 0

Nipus niger

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's Figures - Form elongate, oval, gradually narrowed posteriorly. Color brownish piceous; anterior margin of pronotum yellowish brown, ventral surface brown. Type locality: Sonoma Co., California

Nipus occiduus 0

Nipus occiduus

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's Figures - Color piceous; elytron with yellow spot occupying 1/2 to 2/3 of elytron, anterior margin of pronotum yellowish brown. Type locality: Wasatch, Utah

Nisaxis caudata

Staphylinidae

Identification: Very distinct from any of the described species by the dentate intermediate femora and the abdominal structure of the males. (Schaeffer 1905) Type Locality: Three males and one female taken at light at Esperanza Ranch, Rrownsville, Te

Northeastern Sculptured Pine Borer

Chalcophora liberta

Buprestidae

Identification: from brilliant metallic coppery orange to dull black; extremely variable in size, dorsal sculpturing, and density of ventral setae; readily distinguished by truncate or rounded elytral apices, small size, and usually bright metallic,

Northern Red Oak Jewel Beetle

Brachys aerosus

Buprestidae

Brachys aerosus is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found in North America.

Notaris acridulus

Erirhinidae

3.5-5mm. Generally dark. Elytra and pronotum with short yellow hair-like scales and usually with two dense patches, one on each elytra towards the tip. Antennae pale brown but with dark clubs. Legs dark except for pale brown tibia. Notaris scirpi is

Notaris aethiops

Brachyceridae

Identification: adult habitus (specimen from Europe)

Notaris scirpi

Erirhinidae

Length 6 to 7.5 mm. The body is dark but covered with pale hair-like scales. The rostrum is black and the legs are dark brown. Note this species is very similar to other species and a specimen should be examined in detail. Unless identified by a reco

Noterus clavicornis

Noteridae

There are two UK Noterus species. The genus can be recognised by the broad coxal process on the underside - see ID Aids below. Length 4 - 5 mm. This species is boat-shaped with the elytra broadest in front of middle. The colour of the elytra is varia

Notiobia maculicornis

Carabidae

Notiobia maculicornis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Notiobia mexicana

Carabidae

Identification: A southwestern species with distinctive pronotum (lateral margins sinuate and strongly beaded before dentate hind angles) and elytra with supposedly a hint of purplish shade

Notiobia terminata

Carabidae

Notiobia terminata is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Notiodes disgregus

Brachyceridae

Type Locality: Oregon, 10 mi. N. W. Klamath Falls, “in swamp”, 16 June 1952, No. 54-10685 (V. Roth)

Notiophilus aeneus

Carabidae

Identification: Elytra with two preapical setigerous punctures, antennae and legs pale reddish, pronotum markedly constricted basally.

Notiophilus aquaticus

Carabidae

Identification: Elytra with single preapical setigerous puncture; legs dark/black; apex of elytra with little pronounced, ± irregular microreticulation; intervals behind shoulder without or with only suggested microsculpture Quite similar in the abov

Notiophilus biguttatus

Carabidae

The Notiophilus beetles are very distinctive with prominent eyes. There are eight species in Britain, all very similar but often in different habitats. N. biguttatus usually has pale apical spots or patches on the apical ends of the elytra, though th

Notiophilus borealis

Carabidae

Notiophilus borealis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in Europe & Northern Asia (excluding China) and North America.

Notiophilus novemstriatus

Carabidae

Identification: Smallest of our Notiophilus species. Elytra with two preapical setigerous punctures; legs and antennae not entirely pale; elytral intervals smooth, shiny on basal 1/2; striae 2-3 obliterated before apex; elytra without distinct pale a

Notiophilus palustris

Carabidae

Length 5 to 6 mm. Very shiny black, lacking a paler patch at the tips of the elytra and with brown hind tibiae. Eyes very large, head wider than pronotum. Elytral interval 2 is no wider than 3, 4 and 5 combined. There are two pores at each of the ely

Notiophilus rufipes

Carabidae

5.5 to 6.5 mm. Ranging from coppery bronze to almost black with studded elytra and the 2nd elytral interval as wide as the next three combined. The antennae are black with four basal segments yellow and the head and eyes are very large, even for Noti

Notiophilus substriatus

Carabidae

A small (5 mm) beetle with large bulging eyes and brassy brown studded elytra. Distinguished from N. biguttatus by the finer elytral pores. It usually prefers open ground with short, sparse vegetation and is often recorded from urban areas and fairly

Notolomus basalis

Curculionidae

Identification: Testaceous, head and beak brown; elytra with an oblique dark band commencing near the base of the third interspace, and running to the suture. Type Locality: Capron, Fla [Fort Capron, St. Lucie County, Florida]

Notoxus desertus

Anthicidae

Identification: the only way to separate [ N. monodon and N. desertus , where sympatric] is to look at male genitalia. --D.S. Chandler, 2.vii.2010 Det. D. S. Chandler, 2018 Type Locality: Tucson, Gila Valley, Pima Co., Arizona

Notoxus gelidus

Anthicidae

Notoxus gelidus is a species of monoceros beetle in the family Anthicidae. It is found in Central America and North America.

Notoxus monodon

Anthicidae

Identification: the only way to separate [ N. monodon and N. desertus , where sympatric], is to look at male genitalia (D.S. Chandler, 2.vii.2010) Det. D. S. Chandler, 2010

Notoxus postictus

Anthicidae

Identification: Often with some elytral setae slightly raised giving slightly ruffled appearance; horn margins rarely extending posteriorly past crest apex; similar to haustrus & nuperus in the deep impression of male sternite V. Easily separated fro

Novius circumclusus

Coccinellidae

Identification: In living specimens the ventral abdomen is bright blood red. (Michael C. Thomas, BG comment 2008) previously known only from Honduras, Mexico, and Panama (Gordon 1972). It has now been collected from three sites in Florida: one in Por

Novius koebelei

Coccinellidae

Identification: can only be diagnosed by the details of the male genitalia introduced into California from Australia in 1891, but does not exist there now, although it was thought to have been established for some time.

Novius virginalis

Coccinellidae

Identification: variable pattern, see Gordon's figures

Nutgrass Billbug

Sphenophorus cariosus

Curculionidae

Identification: Adult: blackish with pale gray markings; pronotum with black diamond-shaped raised vitta in median region; elytra with large and widely-spaced fovae along striae destructive to corn in MO ( 4 ) ; can be a pest in Hawaii

Nuttall's Blister Beetle

Lytta nuttalli

Meloidae

Identification: variable first collected by Say along the Colorado Front Range where some of the local bushes "were loaded" with this sp.

Nycteus testaceus

Eucinetidae

Identification: Pale & rather drastically narrowed behind

Oak Bark Beetle

Scolytus intricatus

Curculionidae

A small (2 to 3.5 mm) beetle with reddish-brown elytra and light-brown antennae and legs. Unless identified by a recognised expert, photographic evidence is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state th

Oak Jewel Beetle

Agrilus biguttatus

Buprestidae

It is similar to some other members of the genus with shiny metallic looking elytra, but the elytra of Agrilus biguttatus are rounded at the tips, and there is only one white scaly patch on each elytron somewhere at the end of the second third and be

Oak Leaf-roller

Attelabus nitens

Attelabidae

This is a distinctive reddish brown coloured weevil with a black head. The males measure about 5 mm in length, but the females are larger, at around 7 to 8 mm. This species is relatively easy to identify and is unlikely to be confused with anything e

Oak Paria

Paria opacicollis

Chrysomelidae

Oak Paria (Paria opacicollis) is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as leaf beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Eumolpinae, tribe Typophorini, suborder Polyphaga, superfamily

Oak Stag Beetle

Platycerus quercus

Lucanidae

Identification: reddish brown to blackish, may have brassy or greenish tinge; male mandibles as long as head ( 3 ) ♂ ♀

Oak Timberworm

Arrenodes minutus

Brentidae

Identification: snout is broad in males, long & narrow in females ♂ ♀ comes to lights

Oak sapling borer

Goes tesselatus

Cerambycidae

Identification: Scattered spots of pale pubescence on elytra. Very similar to the more southern Goes tumifrons . See Yanega ( 3 ) for details. Lingafelter's (2007) ( 4 ) key couplet on pg. 103 says the mid-elytral "suture with brighter white pubescen