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)

Pheloconus infector

Curculionidae

Pheloconus infector (Pheloconus infector) 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 Molytinae, tribe Conotrachelini, suborder

Phengodes fusciceps

Phengodidae

Identification: Can be recognized by the short antennae

Phenolia grossa

Nitidulidae

Phenolia grossa (Phenolia grossa) 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 Nitidulinae, tribe Nitidulini, suborder Polyphaga, sup

Phenolia picta

Nitidulidae

Identification: dorsal habitus photo first US record : New Orleans, LA 2024

Philolithus aeger

Tenebrionidae

Identification: Body black and shining. Punctures on the pronotum small and sparse (coarser & denser in Ph. sordidus ). The discal costae (ridges) are somewhat flattened, and the medial costae is nearly absent, or indistinct (clearly raised in sordid

Philolithus sordidus

Tenebrionidae

Identification: Elytral ridges clearly elevated (more flattened in aegra ); pronotum with very coarse, and closely spaced punctures (smaller, and more widely distributed in aegra )

Philonthus aurulentus

Staphylinidae

Identification: Pronotum with quite dense, almost regular punctation; elytra can be black, or red with scutellar region dark to variable extent. the very similar P. lecontei Horn, 1884 even more western (BC - CA + Rockies)

Philonthus carbonarius

Staphylinidae

7-8mm. Black but with a green metallic sheen on the elytra. The legs and palps are dark brown. This looks like a smaller version of P. cognatus but lacks the bicolour (brown+yellow)of the first antennal segment. Unless identified by a recognised expe

Philonthus chujoi

Staphylinidae

Identification: Very similar to the adventive Philonthus debilis , most easily separated with male genitalia

Philonthus cognatus

Staphylinidae

Adults are 8 to 11 mm long. They are black in colour with a green metallic sheen on the elytra which are are profusely pitted. A distinctive feature of this species is that the underside of the first antennal segment is yellow, contrasting with the b

Philonthus concinnus

Staphylinidae

Identification: Species page earliest record in e.NA: QC 1906

Philonthus couleensis

Staphylinidae

Often found by sifting litter, moss, dead vegetation or other debris. Also taken by treading and in clumps of grasses and Carex .

Philonthus cruentatus

Staphylinidae

A blackish species but usually with prominent red spots on the wing cases. There are similar species and care is needed with identification. A species of extensive habitats on damp soils, but it also turns up in patch habitats, especially dung and ca

Philonthus debilis

Staphylinidae

A small (about 5 mm) dark rove beetle with short dark brown wing cases. Under logs and stones and in leaf litter and debris. Widespread but infrequent in England and Wales, little recorded in Scotland. No additional images available for this species.

Philonthus gentilis

Staphylinidae

Identification: distinctive: legs & antennal base orange, elytra blue • Type specimens

Philonthus jurgans

Staphylinidae

Philonthus jurgans (Philonthus jurgans) is a species in the family Staphylinidae, commonly known as rove beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Staphylininae, tribe Staphylinini, suborder Polyphaga

Philonthus laminatus

Staphylinidae

This rove beetle has a very shiny, metallic greeny bronze appearance. It can be found in all months of the year but most commonly between May and September. It is an active predator of small insects. Fairly frequent and widespread across England and

Philonthus marginatus

Staphylinidae

7 to 9.5mm. The reddish-yellow lateral margins to the pronotum make this beetle easy to identify. The remainder of the pronotum, head, and abdomen are shining black. The elytra are blackish with long overlapping hairs and the legs usually yellowish t

Philonthus nudus

Staphylinidae

Identification: purely black, including elytra; the latter strongly but not densely punctured; some discal pronotal punctures in common groove, like in several Cafius . Head wider in males

Philonthus politus

Staphylinidae

A large dark rove beetle with rather bronzy elytra. A patch habitat species most frequently found in carrion. Rather localised in Britain. Most records seem to come from central England and from Wales. No additional images available for this species.

Philonthus quadricollis

Staphylinidae

Common species. Philonthus gavius Smetana, 1995 is very similar, but has a more southern distribution.

Philonthus rufulus

Staphylinidae

Identification: Like in P. alumnus , in males both 6th and 5th(visible) ventral segments of abdomen with excision (on 6th only is usual condition) Should be the common at lights - Adam Brunke, 2010 comment

Philonthus sanguinolentus

Staphylinidae

A fairly large, dark rove beetle which has a series of five punctures on the pronotum. A patch habitat species frequently found in dung, but also in more extensive habitats on damp but well drained soils. Widespread and fairly frequent in England and

Philonthus sericans

Staphylinidae

Identification: Six punctures in each of the dorsal rows on the pronotum.

Philonthus splendens

Staphylinidae

Length up to 16 mm. A rather large dark brown species. Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

Philonthus tenuicornis

Staphylinidae

A medium sized (9 or 10 mm) dark brown or blackish rove beetle. 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 ID method used and describe the

Philonthus varians

Staphylinidae

Length about 6 mm. The brownish elytra often show some degree of red marking or spots. Associated with decaying matter and dung. Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

Philonthus vulgatus

Staphylinidae

Identification: Aedeagus distinctive, pronotum densely but irregularly punctate laterally (punctures usually with space between punctures wider than puncture diameter), head rounded with hind angles lacking, body pubescence black, dorsum not noticeab

Philophuga caerulea

Carabidae

Identification: Head and pronotum with metallic blue or blue-green lustre, similar in color to elytra and not contrasting; elytral striae deeply impressed; intervals convex, finely to moderately coarsely punctate Lectotype

Philophuga viridicollis

Carabidae

Identification: Head and pronotum with metallic green lustre, contrasting with blue elytra, or elytra also green; elytral striae shallowly impressed; intervals flat, finely punctate "Metatarsomere 4 is triangular and emarginate apically, not deeply b

Philophuga viridis

Carabidae

Identification: Pronotum and head concolorous, black with a metallic blue or green sheen; hind angle of pronotum with or without a setiferous puncture This is the most varied species of Philophuga , containing four well defined subspecies.

Philothermus glabriculus

Cerylonidae

the most common eastern cerylonid; may occur with Cerylon unicolor , which is easily distinguished by the much narrower body and 1-segmented club

Philothermus stephani

Cerylonidae

Identification: readily distinguished from nearctic congeners by reduced, depigmented eyes, elongate body (especially pronotum), and large size

Phloeocharis subtilissima 0

Phloeocharis subtilissima

Staphylinidae

Identification: see ; habitus: Fig.12 [p.243] dorsal habitus earliest NA record: NS 2001

Phloeosinus dentatus

Curculionidae

In North Carolina, working with the fungus Fomes angosus they can kill trees of all sizes. Working alone, they do not. ( 4 )

Phloeotribus dentifrons

Curculionidae

The fall generation of adults spend their winter in burrows in the bark; others may emerge and bore into the bark to hibernate. ( 3 ) Adults overwintering in the burrows tend to destroy the gallery patterns during the prolonged feeding period. ( 3 )

Phloeotribus pruni

Curculionidae

Identification: Very similar to P. liminaris , and may be conspecific .

Phloiotrya concolor

Melandryidae

Identification: differs from Ph. fusca by antennomeres nearly as wide as long

Phloiotrya vaudoueri

Melandryidae

Males are slightly smaller than females, which reach a length of around 10 or 12 mm. Elongate and rather parallel-sided, the species is entirely dark brown or blackish but often with the elytra a little lighter than the forebody. Legs and antennae pa

Phoenicobiella schwarzii

Anthribidae

Identification: The male antennae can be quite long, extending to nearly twice the body length. The antennae of the female are much shorter extending from 1/2 to 3/4 the body length. Texas considers this sp. a SGCN Type Locality: Brownsville, Cameron

Phosphuga atrata

Staphylinidae

first detected in NA in 2021, in an urban park in Vancouver, BC by Cole Grueber, and in a forested area in Lévis, QC by Ludovic Leclerc; fairly abundant at both locations, but not yet found elsewhere in NA. All Quebec specimens are of the black morph

Photinus ardens

Lampyridae

Identification: Pronotum with broader median dark vitta, its lateral margins somewhat irregular; pale area each side discolored by nubilous brownish or piceous spots, sometimes completely obscured. Form more elongate

Photinus bivulnerus

Lampyridae

Identification: pronotal structure distinct, and minute light organs in the second-to-last abdominal segment visible just aft the elytra (comment by J. Cicero)

Photinus concisus

Lampyridae

Identification: Pronotum without central dark spot. Elytra black; sutural bead yellow; lateral explanate margin yellow, becoming fuscous and black apically. Det. M. A. Quinn, 2016 Type Locality: 1 mi. NE Kerrville on RR 16, Kerr Co., Texas.

Photinus consimilis

Lampyridae

Identification: Form similar to P. pyralis , less elongate. Pronotum with well defined median dark vitta attaining base, slightly broader in front; each side fulvous. Scutellum and mesonotal areas dark piceous. (abbreviated description) ( 4 ) Type Lo

Photinus cookii

Lampyridae

Identification: diurnal sp. lacking lanterns, thus the small eyes, see Green's description PARATYPE non-luminous , seems to be a very rare sp. Type Locality: Crailhope, Green Co., KY: holotype, 14 paratypes, 19 females, VII-1 to 18-1946, Carl Cook (C

Photinus dimissus

Lampyridae

Identification: prothoracic spot elongate, wider in front [ephasis added]; apex and sides dusky, strongly punctured; scutel dusky; male with light organs as usual, fifth ventral and following segments entirely luminous; female light organs entirely w

Photinus granulatus 0

Photinus granulatus

Lampyridae

Identification: This species has the rather short antennae and large eyes of dimissus and collustrans , with which it must be associated. The granulate pronotum is a unique character in our species; each granule bears a fine puncture at its summit. T

Photinus immaculatus

Lampyridae

Identification: Pronotum without median dark spot, scutellum and mesonotal areas pale fulvous. Form as in P. marginellus . Pronotum without median dark spot, Scutellum and mesonotal areas fulvous. Elytra dark piceous brown, sutural bead distinctly fl

Photinus indictus

Lampyridae

Identification: MALE, Form similar to P. consanguineus . Pronotum with median dark vitta attaining base and sometimes nearly apex, one-third to two-fifths as wide as convex disk, slightly narrowing posteriorly, sometimes abruptly expanding near base.

Photinus knulli

Lampyridae

Identification: differs from other members of the P. consanguineus group by male genitalia the only lekking firefly known in North America (Cicero 1983)

Photinus obscurellus

Lampyridae

Identification: Very much resembles P. ardens , but differs essentially in having the base of the thorax emarginate. (LeConte, 1851) described from one spmn coll'ed in the "Missouri Territory."

Photinus punctulatus

Lampyridae

Identification: one of the most easily recognized of the Nearctic fauna. The pale pygidium, contrasting sharply with the preceding dark piceons tergites, is duplicated only in the narrowly elongate P. lineellus , occurring in the extreme Southeast. T

Photinus sabulosus

Lampyridae

courtship flash patterns: males: quick flash every 4 seconds female response, quick flash a half second after the male's flash ( 3 )

Photinus stellaris

Lampyridae

Identification: Elytra entirely black (i.e. lacking pale margins). Pronotum entirely rufous, or rarely somewhat dusky anteriorly Form elongate, as in P. collustrans seems more elongated than other spp. with pale pronota... Described from a series of

Photinus tanytoxus

Lampyridae

Identification: 3- Composite drawing ; pronotum showing dark coloration extending posteriorly along midline as found in some individuals of tanytoxus n. sp. and collustrans LeConte; [emphasis added] left elytron with sutural bead as in tanytoxus , ri

Photinus tenuicinctus

Lampyridae

Identification: unique in having the lateral pale border of the elytra confined to the outer edge of the explanate margin. pronotal vitta varies from one-third to three-fifths as wide as the convex disk, and is usually broad at the basal extremity, s

Photinus texanus

Lampyridae

Identification: Pronotum with median dark vitta attaining base but not apex [but see type], widest in front, narrowest just before base at middle nearly one-third as wide as convex surface; anterior coarsely punctate area dusky medially. Scutellum an

Photuris billbrowni

Lampyridae

Identification: Flash Pattern: weak 1 sec double flash The FP is a pair of short flashes emitted so rapidly that they appear to be a hitched single flash; this FP is emitted at variable intervals averaging 1.0 to 1.8 second at temperatures near 28°/8

Photuris divisa

Lampyridae

Identification: the most atypical or unusual of the North American Photuris pronotal disc with a large dark spot on both sides, third joint of the antennae is longer than the 2d. Det. Joe Cicero, 2022 Type Locality: Missouri Territory

Photuris falli

Lampyridae

Identification: Pronotum entirely pale yellow ( brunnipennis group) Elytra entirely black. Labial margin triangulate. Metasternum concolorous with yellow head and thoracic sternites above and below. Fifth ventral sternite with pale posterior margin,

Photuris hebes

Lampyridae

Identification: small size (about 11 mm. long) and have relatively long antennae, and pale (sometimes slightly infuscate) labrum, but exhibit considerable variation in the extent of the elytral vitta, which usually passes the middle, although it is s

Photuris katrinae

Lampyridae

Identification: large size, tawny color, and feeble vittagram, or its complete absence, should make identification certain Type Locality: Lost Maples State Park, Bandera County, Texas, collected 8 July 1992.

Photuris salina

Lampyridae

Identification: See Photuris hebes . Small size (9-12 mm long), shorter antennae than in hebes , and labrum is practically black (pale to slightly infuscated in hebes ) and feebly tridentate. Pronotal vitta hourglass-shaped. Elytra variable, light to

Photuris versicolor

Lampyridae

Identification: The useful characters of the original description are: large size; black antennae with the articles a little pale at base; black elytra with margin, suture, and a short vitta yellow; black legs with knees yellow. (but note that Barber

Phradonoma nobile

Dermestidae

Identification: adult habitus first record in NA: AZ 2009

Phratora laticollis

Chrysomelidae

A small beetle (4 or 5 mm) which may have a blue or green sheen. Widespread, but sometimes local in Britain.

Phydanis bicolor

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Males have distinctive antennae Det. E. G. Riley, 2009 sp. remains very rare in collections (E.G. Riley, pers. comm. to MAQ, 2017)

Phyllobaenus caeruleipennis

Cleridae

Identification: "While often distinctly metallic blue to green (Fig. 2), duller forms (Fig. 1) may be confused with the more robust-bodied P. pubescens (LeConte). The elytral form of P. caeruleipennis is similar to that of P. pallipennis (Say) and P.

Phyllobaenus discoideus

Cleridae

Type Locality: Colorado uncommonly encountered per GBIF data

Phyllobaenus humeralis

Cleridae

Phyllobaenus humeralis (Phyllobaenus humeralis) is a species in the family Cleridae, commonly known as checkered beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Hydnocerinae, suborder Polyphaga, superfamily

Phyllobaenus obscurus

Cleridae

Identification: Det. John Leavengood, 2012 Type locality: San Gerónimo, Guatemala

Phyllobaenus pallipennis

Cleridae

Identification: Recognized by its orangish antennae, mouthparts and legs, dark colored body, pronotum and head, and two yellowish markings on each elytron

Phyllobaenus rufipes

Cleridae

Identification: somewhat metallic blue-green with orangish legs, antennae and mouthparts

Phyllobaenus schusteri

Cleridae

Identification: Holotype record from Brownsville, TX (Schaeffer 1908) is in error. (J.Leavengood, pers.comm. to MAQ, 2015)

Phyllobaenus tricolor

Cleridae

Type Locality: Esperanza Ranch, Brownsville, Cameron Co., TX

Phyllobius argentatus

Curculionidae

This is another of the green Phyllobius weevils, the most common of which is Phyllobius pomaceus . Phyllobius argentatus is a smaller species (Size around 4 to 6mm), and usually a brighter golden green colour. Under a lens it has round scales and is

Phyllobius glaucus

Curculionidae

7.5 to 10 mm. A large weevil, similar to P. pomaceus but the femora are pale and its scales are pointed. Phyllobius is a genus of broad-nosed weevils that are commonly found on low herbage and in trees during spring and summer. Most are covered in me

Phyllobius roboretanus

Curculionidae

A smallish green weevil about 5 mm in length, sometimes called the Small Green Nettle Weevil. Most Phyllobius weevils have a prominent tooth on the underside of the femora, but this is not the case with Phyllobius roboretanus . It also has a very ste

Phyllobius virideaeris

Curculionidae

Length 4 or 5 mm. A bright metallic green or bluish nettle weevil. Phyllobius virideaeris lacks the femur teeth found on the majority of UK Phyllobius species. It can be distinguished from the similar P. roboretanus by the gently sloping rear end and

Phyllobrotica antennata

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Last key couplet: Antennae of male with basal segment [scape] strongly inflated, apical three segments yellow Syntype - female, so lacking the male diagnostic ant. charaters Syntype Locality: Chestoa, Unicoi County, Tennessee

Phyllobrotica costipennis

Chrysomelidae

Phyllobrotica costipennis is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America.

Phyllobrotica leechi

Chrysomelidae

Identification: dark except in front of eyes; antennae yellow, legs usually black at base

Phyllobrotica lengi

Chrysomelidae

Identification: see MacRae Type Locality: Perry Co., Indiana Known from Missouri by just four specimens collected in the late 1800s until Rev. James Sullivan collected a small series on S. parvula in east-central Missouri in 1988. (MacRae 2019) Karl

Phyllobrotica physostegiae

Chrysomelidae

Identification: - male/female Dets. E. G. Riley, 2009 Type Locality: Missouri, Dade County, Niawathe Prairie, 10 mi. N. Lockwood, June 12, 1978 (E. G. Riley) on Physostegia angustifolia . In addition to the holotype, 89 specimens have been examined (

Phyllodrepa floralis

Staphylinidae

A very small, dark, almost blackish rove beetle. Probably develops in compost, litter etc.. Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain. No additional images available for this species.

Phyllophaga aemula

Scarabaeidae

Identification: Variation primarily in body color (from light to dark or reddish brown) Type Locality: northern Georgia

Phyllophaga apicata

Scarabaeidae

Identification: Det. E. G. Riley, 1996 Type Locality: College Station, Brazos Co., Texas

Phyllophaga bilobatata

Scarabaeidae

Identification: The subgenus Phytalus includes species that have the tooth of the tarsal claws not much removed from the apex. In other subgenera the tooth on the claws are quite distinct from the apex, often near the middle of the claw.

Phyllophaga crassissima

Scarabaeidae

abundant and destructive to crops in some locations

Phyllophaga crenulata

Scarabaeidae

Identification: Typically quite hairy. Size, color, and vestiture variable. Antennae 10-segmented. Larvae may damage sod, field crops, and coniferous nurseries ( 3 )

Phyllophaga crinita

Scarabaeidae

Identification: Pronotum noticeably hairy, antennae 10-segmented, pale antennal club much longer than rest of antenna. Det. E. G. Riley, 2009

Phyllophaga ephilida

Scarabaeidae

Identification: Best diagnosed by examination of genitalia. Some external characters include antennae 10-segmented, glabrous dorsum, and a barely sinuate clypeus. Similar in general appearance to P. clypeata , except clypeata has a 9-segmented antenn

Phyllophaga forbesi

Scarabaeidae

Identification: Antennae 10 segmented. Essentially identical to P. ephilida externally.

Phyllophaga gracilis

Scarabaeidae

Identification: Elongate, cylindrical, pale rufotestaceous, thorax somewhat darker. head fuscous or piceous. Head broad, eyes large, especially in the male. Clypeus short, deeply emarginate, margin not wielely reflexed. Claws feebly curved. the tooth

Phyllophaga hamata

Scarabaeidae

Reinhard (1939, 1950) reported this species from Bexar, Menard, Sutton and Tom Green counties. To these records Riley & Wolfe added Bandera, Bell, Kerr and Val Verde counties.

Phyllophaga hirticula

Scarabaeidae

Identification: Long setae in rows on the elytra (occasionally worn), 10-segmented antennae

Phyllophaga impar

Scarabaeidae

Identification: Quoting Davis (1920): Body oblong, slightly broadest behind, reddish brown or darker, the surface sometimes shining but usually more or less pruinose, and in one specimen the surface has a dull smoky appearance.... Clypeus feebly emar

Phyllophaga karlsioei

Scarabaeidae

Identification: Phyllophaga karlsioei (Linell) Det. E. G. Riley, 1998 Types: Two examples, male and female, collected at electric light in Hot Springs, Arkansas, by Doctor W. J. Karlsioe, and kindly presented to the National Museum. (Linell 1898)

Phyllophaga knochii

Scarabaeidae

Identification: The large size and densely rugose punctation of the pronotum narrows this species to a small group of species in the East. Identification can be confirmed by examination of the genitalia for both males and females.