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)

Paratachys potomaca

Carabidae

Identification: Markedly reduced membranous wings, also characteristic are smaller, less convex eyes and the elytra shaped more oviform with more narrowed shoulders compared to very similar P. pumilus. (Peter Messer's comment)

Paratachys sagax

Carabidae

Identification: "[...] enormous hemispherical eyes. [...] darkened head and antennae, long antennomeres, concolorous pale pronotum and elytra without darker marks, transverse (therefore iridescent) pronotal and elytral microsculpture, linear trapezoi

Paratachys ventricosus

Carabidae

Identification: "two dilated protarsomeres and the Trechus-esque coloration and habitus" ‒Curt Harden's comment Holotype

Parataenius simulator

Scarabaeidae

Identification: Strongly wrinkled clypeus and basal half of pronotum with numerous coarse punctures

Paratenetus exutus

Tenebrionidae

Identification: best separated from P. punctatus and P. texanus in having the antennomere 8 transverse (only slightly transverse in some specimens from the south). The males are easily recognized in having no calcar on the protibia and a relatively l

Paratenetus fuscus

Tenebrionidae

Identification: close to P. gibbipennis but elytral setae more erect & numerous and metaventrite slightly longer males rather common (~40% of specimens)

Paratenetus gibbipennis

Tenebrionidae

Identification: Elytra with very few, short erect setae males rare in collections (~4%)

Paratenetus punctatus

Tenebrionidae

Identification: see Bousquet & Bouchard to separate spp.

Paratenetus texanus

Tenebrionidae

Identification: can be distinguished from the similarly built P. punctatus and P. exutus in having the punctures on the pronotum sparser, not subcontigous even laterally, and from most adults of P. exutus by the subquadrate antennomere 8 and metavent

Paratyndaris crandalli

Buprestidae

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

Paratyndaris prosopis

Buprestidae

Type Locality listed as "TX, Austin" , but note that the type was actually collected by Schwarz who collected extensively in Austin County, Texas and is not known to have collected in the City of Austin...

Parelaphidion incertum

Cerambycidae

Parelaphidion incertum (Parelaphidion incertum) is a species in the family Cerambycidae, commonly known as longhorn beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Cerambycinae, tribe Elaphidiini, suborder

Parenthesis Lady Beetle

Hippodamia parenthesis

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures last three key couplets per Gordon:

Parenthis vestitus

Curculionidae

Identification: Easily recognized by elongate body, dense scaly vestiture, and very small lateral thoracic tubercles ( Dietz 1896 )

Parethelcus pollinarius

Curculionidae

A small (3 or 4 mm) broad bodied dark brown/black looking weevil with a long snout (rostrum). Parethelcus pollinarius is broadly similar to Nedyus quadrimaculatus and both are common on nettles. The white spots on the elytra of Nedyus are usually dis

Paria scutellaris

Chrysomelidae

Identification: large elongate scutellar spot and the narrow apical margin of the elytra rufous. (Notman 1920) Det. Gerald M. Fauske Described from one spmn coll'ed Windsor, Broome Co., N.Y.

Parkinsonia Seed Beetle

Penthobruchus germaini

Chrysomelidae

first US record from e. Calif in 2012 where it was already described as "an infestation" timeline of first state records per iNat (& BG) data: 2017 - first CA record - Pasadena 2018 - first AZ record - Nogales (per BG data) 2019 - first TX record - E

Parochodaeus biarmatus

Ochodaeidae

Identification: Elytral setae appearing as short bristles Irregular teeth on the hind margin of the femur = P. biarmatus . - MJ Paulsen, 13 January, 2012 Type Locality: New Mexico

Parochodaeus duplex

Ochodaeidae

Identification: elytral setae 'shaggy', long. Males with head with transverse furrow, lacking in females; hind legs without irregular teeth on hind margin of femur

Parochodaeus howdeni

Ochodaeidae

Identification: Thickened, curved first segment of the hind tarsus PLUS the mentum is not produced downward and thus not visible in lateral view

Parochodaeus inarmatus

Ochodaeidae

Identification: Two elongate tubercles on head, like this: - -

Parochodaeus pectoralis

Ochodaeidae

Identification: The first segment of the hind tarsus is thickened and curved PLUS the mentum is strongly produced downward and thus visible in lateral view of the head. Can be confused with P. ritcheri from the Big Bend region of TX but has distinct

Parochodaeus peninsularis

Ochodaeidae

Identification: location, otherwise similar to P. duplex .

Parochodaeus ritcheri

Ochodaeidae

Identification: Similar to P. pectoralis with thickened and curved first metatarsomere and downward produced mentum,but labrum has a small central projection on apex instead of being emarginate; restricted to Big Bend area in USA

Paromalus seeversi

Histeridae

Paromalus seeversi (Paromalus seeversi) is a species in the family Histeridae, commonly known as clown beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Dendrophilinae, tribe Paromalini, suborder Polyphaga, s

Parorectis arenaria 0

Parorectis arenaria

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Dorsum yellowish-brown; pronotum with pair of small, round, black spots near center of disc; separated from P. callosa and P. rugosa by coloration and shape; the latter two are more strongly arched.

Parorectis callosa

Chrysomelidae

Parorectis callosa is a species of tortoise beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America.

Paroxacis interrita

Oedemeridae

Identification: Det. Brad Barnd, 2011 all specimens have been taken around lights

Partridge-pea Weevil

Chalcodermus collaris

Curculionidae

Identification: Thorax deeply longitudinally strigose; body brown elytra paler (Horn 1873)

Pasimachus duplicatus

Carabidae

Identification: discal intervals hardly traceable, intervals 7 & 8 costate

Pasimachus obsoletus

Carabidae

Identification: Most similar to P. elongatus , but borders of pronotum and elytra narrower and usually black (may be faintly blue, especially near humeri) • no fringe of yellow setae inside metatibia in males (present in P. elongatus )

Pasimachus sublaevis

Carabidae

Identification: Pronotum relatively unconstricted basally, hind corners obtuse, elytra somewhat irregularly dimpled; no median pairs of setae on ventrites 2‒5; dorsal fixed subapical mesotibial spine/spur laterally compressed. Mesotibial spine:

Passionflower Flea Beetle

Disonycha discoidea

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Fairly large, elytra orange-red with large, common black spot , or with suture and discal black stripe (var. abbreviata ) Larvae and adults freq. found on Passionflower ( Passiflora ). , , discoidea abbreviata Second similar, probably

Pasture Wireworm

Monocrepidius exsul

Elateridae

Identification: pronotal angles bicarinate, elytral apices bidentate first record in our area: 1932

Patrobus atrorufus

Carabidae

7.5 to9.5 mm. Uniformly dark brown with reddish legs and antennae. The first two antennal segments are bare but the third is pubescent. The third antennal segment is longer than the first. Wings absent. Patrobus assimilis is similar but generally sli

Patrobus fossifrons

Carabidae

Pohl reported that members of this species can be segregated into a “coastal” and “inland” morphs and that hybridization occurs between the coastal form of P. fossifrons and P. stygicus

Pea Weevil

Bruchus pisorum

Chrysomelidae

Identification: anteriour femora are completely dark. conspicous white pattern elements: prescutellar triange on pronotum; spots on 3rd interval at 2/5th / 4/5th downwards; outwardly slanting row on intervals 5, 7, 9, at about 2/3rds length of elytro

Pea-leaf Weevil

Sitona lineatus

Curculionidae

3.4-5.3mm. This is the commonest of the Sitona weevils and has dark longitudinal stripes. Unlike many weevils, it has a very short, almost squared off rostrum or snout. Front coxae almost touch the constriction at the front margin of the prosternum (

Pechalius pilosus

Tenebrionidae

Identification: Key to species of Pechalius in Triplehorn

Pechalius subvittatus

Tenebrionidae

Identification: Key to species of Pechalius Type Locality: Marfa, Presidio Co., TX

Pedilus abnormis

Pyrochroidae

Identification: The visible diagnostic feature is the slight "bow" and twist of the metathoracic tibiae. There are also no obvious modifications of the elytral apices (unlike males of most NA Pedilus spp.).

Pedilus joanae, manuscript name

Pedilus joanae

Pyrochroidae

Identification: Male: elytral apex slightly excavate, somewhat swollen above, and with yellow macula in this place. Elytra black, to yellowish (terminal margin excepted); females lack the diagostic macula.

Pedilus lugubris

Pyrochroidae

Identification: There can be considerable variation in pronotal color and in some cases can be confused with Pedilus labiatus .

Pedilus terminalis

Pyrochroidae

Identification: Det. A.V. Evans, 2010 adults attracted by cantharidin

Pelecotoides schaefferi

Ripiphoridae

Type Locality: Esperanza Ranch, Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas. commonly coll'ed at UV lights at Laguna Atascosa NWR, Rio Hondo, Cameron Co., TX ( 6 )

Pelecotoma flavipes

Ripiphoridae

Pelecotoma flavipes (Pelecotoma flavipes) is a species in the family Ripiphoridae, commonly known as wedge-shaped beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Pelecotominae, suborder Polyphaga, superfami

Pelecyphorus texanus

Tenebrionidae

commonly coll'ed via pitfall traps at Laguna Atascosa NWR, Rio Hondo, Cameron Co., TX

Pelenomus waltoni

Curculionidae

Identification: distinguished from native congeners by rostrum being longer than pronotum, and elytral vestiture comprised of fine, short, recumbent, metallic and shiny setae, with spots of grayish, oval scales and no velvety brown/black spot behind

Pelonides granulatipennis

Cleridae

Identification: Elongate black, elytra covered with small granules, red with two large black spots on each side which are usually confluent. Elytra distinctly broader than the thorax at base. I have taken about 15 specimens of this fine species on th

Pelonides humeralis

Cleridae

Identification: variable color pattern, see also type

Pelonides quadrinotata

Cleridae

Identification: individuals with any kind of red marking on the forebody (head+prothorax) are P. quadrinotata (which sometimes has no spots at all), while in P. quadripunctata the forebody is entirely black

Pelonides quadripunctata

Cleridae

Identification: forebody (head+prothorax) is entirely black (individuals with any red marking on the forebody are P. quadrinotata )

Pelonium maculicolle

Cleridae

Identification: Det. E. G. Riley, 2009 I have taken a considerable number of this species, which is in my experience the most common Clerid in this region. It occurred mostly on [Texas Ebony - Ebenopsis ebano ] and is a very slow insect. (Schaeffer 1

Pelophila borealis

Carabidae

Pelophila borealis is a species of ground beetle in Nebriinae subfamily which was described by Gustaf von Paykull in 1790. The species can be found in Belarus, Canada, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Norway, Russia, and Sweden. It is black in colour and is

Peltodytes pedunculatus

Haliplidae

Identification: This species has a subhumeral black dash, and can't be seen in dorsal view.

Peltodytes sexmaculatus

Haliplidae

Identification: Median elytral spots not coalescent on suture

Peltophorus adustus

Curculionidae

Identification: The form and sculpture of the prothorax, and the color readily distinguish this species from Peltophorus polymitus seminiveus (w.TX) and Peltophorus polymitus suffusus (AZ). Det. Blaine Mathison, 2014 Type Locality: Arizona

Peltophorus polymitus

Curculionidae

Adults [move] up and down the stalks and hide in the spiny crown of leaves if disturbed. Long bottle forceps are useful in collecting them. They will fly rapidly if startled while on the flower stalk. - C.W. O'Brien, 30.vi.2010

Pennasolis merkeli

Cleridae

Identification: Slender, parallel, piceous black, moderately shining, with sparsely placed erect hairs, and a silken white pubescence forming an indistinct design on the elytra, each elytron with a yellow spot on the margin behind the middle. Head co

Pennsylvania Dingy Ground Beetle

Harpalus pensylvanicus

Carabidae

Note the single n in pensylvanicus . Note that a similar species, H. texanus Casey, occurs in the southeastern United States, and it is usually indistinguishable externally from H. pensylvanicus . See the discussion Harpalus pensylvanicus vs H. texan

Pentagonica flavipes

Carabidae

Pentagonica flavipes is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in the Caribbean Sea, Central America, North America, and the Caribbean.

Pentagonica maculicornis

Carabidae

Identification: fulvous antennae, the entire scape and the other joints being brown only at the apex; prothorax with a broad, distinct, black stripe on both sides (Bates 1883), pronotal side marks vary from well defined, to indefinite smudges, or ent

Pentagonica marshalli

Carabidae

Identification: Differs from P. picticornis by antenna pale (emphasis added) distad scape, head proportionatly shorter (truncated behind eyes), and pronotum proportionately wider Type locality: 3 mill. NW Alligator Point, Franklin Co., Florida

Pentagonica nigricornis

Carabidae

Identification: differs from all previously described New World Pentagonica in type of coloration combined with uniformly black antennae (emphasis added). It resembles picticornis Bates of Guatemala except that the antennae (of nigricornis ) are not

Pentanodes dietzii

Cerambycidae

Unique holotype and allotype collected at Brownsville, TX (no further data); no add'l specimens collected for some 80 years , until Downie coll'ed 25 spmns near La Gloria, Starr Co., TX on whitebrush - Aloysia gratissima (Verbenaceae), which was in f

Pentaria dispar

Scraptiidae

Identification: Det. Zack Falin, 2012 Type Locality: Jemez Mountains, New Mexico

Pentispa melanura

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Pentispa melanura (Chapuis) – form 1 Det. E. G. Riley, 2010 Pentispa melanura (Chapuis) – form 2 Det. E. G. Riley, 2010

Pentispa sallaei

Chrysomelidae

November 2019, adults found grazing the upper leaf surfaces of Barbados cherry creating significant scarring, and larvae, pupae, and teneral adults were found inside blotch-type leaf mines in Davie, Florida (Broward County). This represents the first

Perapion curtirostre

Apionidae

Size 2 to 2.5 mm. A very small and usually elongate, black weevil. The elytra, pronotum, head and femora have whitish hairs. The rostrum is generally parallel-sided and not tapered. Your specimen should have these features: Unless identified by a rec

Perapion hydrolapathi

Apionidae

2.6-3.2mm. Elytra usually dull metallic blue, green or brassy, otherwise all black. Antennal segment 2 wider than segment 3 (feature of the genus). Pronotum quadrate and barrel-shaped. Finely pubescent. Rostrum about as long as the head. Metasternal

Perapion violaceum

Apionidae

2.6-3.5mm. Dark blue metallic elytra but black otherwise. The genus is characterised by having the second antennal segment expanded so it is wider than the third segment. Perapion also have elytral intervals that are quite widely spaced, certainly wi

Perigona nigriceps

Carabidae

Identification: note the distinctly widened antenna segments. (comm. per Peter W. Messer, 25 October, 2007) earliest record in our area: before 1853

Perilypus ornaticollis

Cleridae

Identification: serrate antennae Type Locality: Ohio

Peritapnia fabra

Cerambycidae

Type Locality: Arizona, south of Tucson. (Horn 1894)

Petalium alternatum

Ptinidae

Identification: The alternately wide and narrow elytral intervals combined with the form of the antenna are diagnostic

Petalium bistriatum

Ptinidae

Identification: Typically with reddish pronotum and black elytra, but may be all black. Pronotum distinctly rugose compared to shiny elytra. Pronotal sulcus crescent shaped. Elytral strial punctures become diminished in size apically, becoming more

Petalium debile

Ptinidae

common in beating samples at Laguna Atascosa NWR, TX ( 3 )

Petalium incisum

Ptinidae

Identification: Pronotum anterior recurved carina distinctly raised, incised at middle

Petalium seriatum

Ptinidae

Identification: Pronotum with medial hump large and flanked each side by oblique depressions. Syntype

Phacepholis elegans

Curculionidae

Identification: Scutellum indistinct, scales usually green, intermixed with several rows of bristles on elytral intervals. Eyes moderately convex, pronotal sides only slightly rounded.

Phacophallus pallidipennis

Staphylinidae

earliest NA record: west coast 1904; earliest eastern record: NY 1931

Phaea monostigma

Cerambycidae

Phaea monostigma (Phaea monostigma) 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 Tetraopini, suborder Polyphaga, superf

Phaedon armoraciae

Chrysomelidae

3.5 to 4.7 mm. Deep metallic. Pronotal disc with both fine and coarse punctures. Distinctly swollen 'shoulders' (humeral calli). Antennae entirely dark and widely spaced. Adults are found on a variety of water plants, though larvae have only been fou

Phaedon desotonis

Chrysomelidae

Identification: the distincitve characteristic of this beetle is its bronze-colored pronotum a case where an uncommon insect herbivore has 'jumped' from its rare native host to related common hosts and is spreading (Smith-Rodgers 2012)

Phaedon laevigatus

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Palearctic: adventive(?) in North America, native to Europe Coleopterists are still debating whether or not Phaedon laevigatus ... [is] native to North America or accidentally introduced from the Palearctic Region. I personally think

Phaenithon platanum

Anthribidae

Identification: TYPE: USNM, Smithsonian Coll. A very distinctive member of the fly-mimicking complex described by Hespenheide (1973).

Phaenomerus foveipennis

Curculionidae

Identification: recognizable among all North American weevils by their small size (3–4 mm), elongate-slender body form, and especially by the distinctive elongate, ventrally toothed hind legs with the femur much greater in length than the strongly cu

Phaenops aeneola

Buprestidae

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

Phaenops lecontei

Buprestidae

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

Phaleria picipes

Tenebrionidae

"The only other eastern US sp [the other being P. testacea]. north of FL keys. Atlantic coast ones are generally all black, but populations in the keys, Bahamas, etc. tend to be bicolored, tan or yellowish." - W. Steiner

Phanaeus adonis

Scarabaeidae

Identification: All US specimens have been blue, but green examples have been collected as far north as southern Tamaulipas, Mexico. ( 3 ) First U.S. record published in Riley & Wolfe (2003) ( 5 ) TEXAS: Cameron Co. 15 mi. E Rio Hondo VI-13-14-1995 C

Phanaeus difformis

Scarabaeidae

Identification: MAJOR MALES: vindex -vs- difformis depicted are easier to differentiate than minor males (w/ short horns) and females (w/ very short horns). major male: - note, colors variable minor male: female: much less common than P. vindex (BG d

Phanaeus igneus

Scarabaeidae

Identification: Color is highly variable: black, green or a green red combination.

Phanaeus texensis

Scarabaeidae

Identification: major male: minor male: female: Type Locality: 2mi N. Cedar Hill, Dallas Co., Texas

Phanerota dissimilis

Staphylinidae

Identification: differs from P. fasciata by being darker/testaceous, with larger apical black spot on abdomen, and head with definite micro-reticulate sculpting

Phanocerus clavicornis

Elmidae

Identification: Readily distinguished by short antennae with compact 6-segm. club

Pharoscymnus flexibilis

Coccinellidae

Identification: very distinctive yet variable in pattern earliest record in our area: FL 2011 It is likely that it was transported on scale-infested plants from Asia or Brazil.

Phausis inaccensa

Lampyridae

Identification: last key couplet: Brunneous to yellowish brown Phausis inaccensa males have no true lanterns (Faust poster) Yellowish brown. Head and median pronotal spot piceous. Elytra olivaceous the lateral margins obscurely paler. Abdomen dark br

Phausis luminosa 0

Phausis luminosa

Lampyridae

Holotype. Male, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. No date, collected by Chapman Grant. Two male paratypes, Lawrence Co., Arkansas, collected by B. C. Marshall. Female unknown.

Phausis rhombica

Lampyridae

Identification: Rhomboid pronotum distinctive. Body all-black. Transparent windows large, nearly meeting. The similarly shaped Ph. inaccensa is brownish and eastern in distribution.