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)

Platystethus degener

Staphylinidae

earliest NA record: 1971 ; a member of the subg. Craetopycrus Tottenham

Platystomos albinus

Anthribidae

Length 7 to 10 mm. There is strong sexual dimorphism with the male having antennae as long as the body, but these are shorter in the female. There may also be variation in colour from grey to fawn and brown. The white markings vary in size and may be

Platytomus longulus

Scarabaeidae

Identification: Det. E. G. Riley 2009 Type Locality: Camp Shelby, Forrest Co., Mississippi

Platytomus notialis

Scarabaeidae

Metatarsomere 1 longer than metatarsomeres 2+3 combined

Plegaderus sayi

Histeridae

Identification: Elytra with sparse round punctures, some discal ones tending to coalesce longitudinally

Pleotomus nigripennis

Lampyridae

Identification: females should be all pink with short elytra and bipectinate antennae, but they remain undiscovered (Joe Cicero, comment, 2013)

Pleuropasta mirabilis

Meloidae

Pleuropasta mirabilis (Pleuropasta mirabilis) is a species in the family Meloidae, commonly known as blister beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Meloinae, tribe Eupomphini, suborder Polyphaga, s

Pleurophorus caesus

Scarabaeidae

earliest NA record: Middle Atlantic states before 1871

Plinthodes taeniatus

Curculionidae

has caused extensive damage to foliage of strawberries on Vancouver Is.

Plionoma rubens

Cerambycidae

Identification: The length of the antennae of the males varies considerably, but the lateral punctation of the pronotum and elytra is fine and dense in all of the examples seen by Linsley (1942)

Plionoma suturalis

Cerambycidae

Identification: pronotum red (s.CA to w.TX) or black (in the rest of TX): Type Locality: Rio Grande Valley, Texas

Plocetes versicolor

Curculionidae

Identification: The darkest scales on the elytra form a broad v-shaped macula Type Locality: Brownsville, Texas (Esperanza Ranch) (Schaeffer 1904) Texas considers this to be a "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" (SGCN)

Plum beetle

Tetrops praeustus

Cerambycidae

A small longhorn beetle to 6 mm with yellowish to tan, black tipped bristly elytra and yellowish legs. Feeds on the twigs and branches of various deciduous trees and bushes. It usually it takes the larvae 1 year to develop into an adult beetle but in

Pnigodes setosus

Curculionidae

Identification: Usually coated with earthen secretion and dirt. The pale declivial marks usually concealed. (C.W. O'Brien, 29.i.2013) - pristine individual Det. C. W. O'Brien, 2013 rarely collected

Podabrus alpinus

Cantharidae

Podabrus alpinus has a distinctive head shape with bulging eyes and a relatively long neck. Likes mixed, well wooded areas, and is attracted to Pine. Adults are active during June July and August Fairly frequent and widespread in Britain, except in t

Podabrus appendiculatus

Cantharidae

Identification: black distal femora, bicolored antennomeres

Podabrus brevicollis

Cantharidae

Podabrus brevicollis (Podabrus brevicollis) is a species in the family Cantharidae, commonly known as soldier beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Cantharinae, tribe Podabrini, suborder Polyphaga

Podabrus brimleyi

Cantharidae

Author of this species, John Wagener Green (1889-1968), is a bit obscure. He was associated with the California Academy of Sciences and worked on Cantharidae and Lampyridae. See obituary .

Podabrus modestus

Cantharidae

Podabrus modestus is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is found in North America.

Podabrus pygmaeus

Cantharidae

Podabrus pygmaeus is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is found in North America.

Podabrus rugosulus

Cantharidae

Identification: Cantharidae of e. Canada and ne. US

Podolasia ferruginea

Scarabaeidae

Identification: clypeus broadly and shallowly emarginate (emargination short but deep in P. emarginata ) Type Locality: Ringgold Barracks, Starr County, TX

Poecilonota montana

Buprestidae

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

Poecilus cupreus

Carabidae

Poecilis cupreus is distinguished from the similar P. versicolor by having fine punctuations on its head between its eyes. In P. versicolor , the head is completely smooth and unpunctured. P. versicolor also prefers wetter habitats. You must have exa

Poecilus scitulus

Carabidae

Identification: may be separated from the similar P. diplophryus by its sinuate prothorax sides before its right hind angle (vs. less sinuate sides before an obtuse hind angle), 2 dorsal elytron punctures (vs. 3), and BL 8.5‒11.5 mm (vs. 11‒12 mm)

Pogonocherus penicillatus

Cerambycidae

Identification: The angled white basal band and longitudinally-arranged tufts of black setae are distinctive. … Ted C. MacRae, 21 June, 2007

Pogonodaptus mexicanus

Carabidae

Pogonodaptus mexicanus (Pogonodaptus mexicanus) is a species in the family Carabidae, commonly known as ground beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Harpalinae, tribe Harpalini, suborder Adephaga.

Pogonus texanus

Carabidae

"displayed [...] quickness in escaping rarely surpassed among the Carabidae." (Wickham 1897)

Pole Borer

Neandra brunnea

Cerambycidae

The N. brunnea is a species of the longhorn beetle family, subfamily Parandrinae. Its common names include pole borer and longhorned beetle. The longhorned beetle grows between 8 and 20 mm (0.79 in) and is yellowish-brown or reddish-brown in colour.

Polemius binotatus

Cantharidae

Identification: Head black behind antennae, pronotum orange with two black spots on either side of median, elytra black with grayish pubescence, legs orange with tarsi darker. Sides of pronotum incised in males. Holotype

Polemius laticornis

Cantharidae

Identification: antennae stongly serrate in male, less serrate in female; pronotum lateral margins indented before middle, wider after the indentation, widest at base; elytra black usually with dark reddish humerus, divergent, lateral margins widest

Polemius limbatus

Cantharidae

Identification: There is sexual dimorphism betweeen males and females, see .

Polemius repandus

Cantharidae

Identification: Antennae filiform; pronotum black, with wide glossy reddish blotch betw. black central mark and yellow lateral margins; lateral margine bisinuate, widened posteriorly, widest at base; elytra black Variations: pronotum w black middle s

Poliaenus volitans

Cerambycidae

Poliaenus volitans is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1873. It is known from Guatemala and Mexico.

Polished Lady Beetle

Cycloneda munda

Coccinellidae

Polished Lady Beetle (Cycloneda munda) is a species in the family Coccinellidae, commonly known as lady beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Coccinellinae, suborder Polyphaga, superfamily Coccine

Pollaclasis bifaria

Lampyridae

Identification: Antennae with two processes from the base of each joint. rare, local, relictual (?) ( 6 )

Pollen Beetle

Meligethes aeneus

Nitidulidae

This is a small black beetle with a metallic brassy or blue-green sheen. There are several very similar pollen beetles but Meligethes aeneus is the most common, particularly early in the year. Unless identified by a recognised expert, photographic ev

Polycesta (Arizonica) aruensis

Polycesta aruensis

Buprestidae

Identification: [= velasco ] - alternate interstrial spaces of the elytra costate, sutural margins of the elytra widened at the apices and exhibiting a very distinctive reddish green luster. Det. S. G. Wellso

Polycesta arizonica

Buprestidae

Identification: rather feebly shining, black with a reddish green luster, elytra with alternate interstrial spaces costate, apices widened internally Det. C. L. Bellamy, 2001 Type Locality: Palmerlee, Cochise Co., Arizona

Polycesta crypta

Buprestidae

Identification: It can be separated from P. cyanea on the shape of the lateral margins of the pronotum. When Barr looked at the black Polycestas from California he found yet another species hiding among the specimens of P. cyanea , hence he named it

Polycesta cyanea

Buprestidae

Identification: This species is black without blue highlights. Unfortunately When Chamberlin described the species he had two species in the type series. The Holotype male was P. cyanea and the allotype female was P. tularensis . He used the blue hig

Polycesta elata

Buprestidae

Identification: Prothorax with three large excavations; elytra strongly costate. Front deeply concave. Elytra moderately clathrate; interstices (except the smooth coste) densely punctured Det. C. L. Bellamy, 2001 one of the largest and better known U

Polycesta tularensis

Buprestidae

Identification: beautiful with its dark inky blue highlights. - Dennis Haines comment larvae hosts in Quercus douglasii and Fremontodendron californicum in Tulare Co., CA.

Polydrusus cervinus

Curculionidae

Polydrusus weevils are very similar to the Phyllobius group, but the main difference between the two is that the antennal insertions are on the side of the rostrum and not visible from above. Polydrusus cervinus is a rather pale golden green weevil w

Polydrusus formosus

Curculionidae

Length 5 to 6 mm. A bright metallic green weevil with round scales, a dark club to the pale antennae and a short groove between the eyes. It does not have any setae (bristles). It has conspicuous striae on the elytra. The scales can wear off to revea

Polydrusus ochreus

Curculionidae

Identification: Notice the space between the points of insertion of the antennae is narrower than in any other North American Polydrusus . … Robert Anderson, 13 August, 2021 Type Locality: Cloudcroft, Otero Co., NM

Polydrusus partitus

Curculionidae

Identification: last key couplet: Upper surface with green and brown scales; elytra obliquely fasciate (Champion, 1911) Type Locality: Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge).

Polydrusus pterygomalis

Curculionidae

Length about 5 mm. Another of the green arboreal weevils. The identifying features are anterior femora without teeth, upperside of elytra with round scales and with pale semi-erect setae (view from side), the head has a bulge behind the eyes and it h

Polydrusus tereticollis

Curculionidae

Size 4 to 6 mm. A brown species with a rather dappled appearance. Unless identified by a recognised expert, photographic evidence is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used.

Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer

Euwallacea fornicatus

Curculionidae

Identification: virtually indistinguishable from others in the "fornicatus" clade, however... if the " E. fornicatus " you have are from San Diego or Tijuana River they are E. kuroshio , and the ones from the Los Angeles area are E. fornicatus . Thos

Polyphylla crinita

Scarabaeidae

Identification: Tricolor (orange, black, white). Elytra integument black; covered in yellow/golden scales. Pronotum with erect hairs in central area. Most likely a geographic morph of P. decemlineata and not a distinct species, per D. Hawks (based on

Polyphylla gracilis

Scarabaeidae

Identification: A smaller species readily recognized by the unidentate protibia of the male and its mottled elytral color pattern, bearing a broad lateral stripe • syntype

Polyphylla hammondi

Scarabaeidae

Identification: the central member of the hammondi complex, for which several spp. are recognized based on good morphological characters (like P. brownae ); western members of the complex need detailed study ( 3 )

Polyphylla nigra

Scarabaeidae

Historically has been confused with other taxa throughout the western United States based on published misidentifications spanning decades. (D. Hawks, pers. comm. to S. Hendrix, 2026)

Polyphylla pottsorum

Scarabaeidae

Identification: La Rue (1998) defined Polyphylla pottsorum as a complex of geographical phenotypes differing mainly by male dorsal coloration. Texas considers this to be a "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" (SGCN) ( 4 )

Polypria cruxrufa

Oedemeridae

First reported for the U.S. by Wickham (1898) and Townsend (1902) in Brownsville. ( 4 )

Poplar Blackmine Beetle

Zeugophora scutellaris

Megalopodidae

larvae make large dark blotch mines in cpoplar/ottonwood leaves ( 7 ) ; may damage cottonwood, poplar, and aspen trees

Poplar Twig Borer

Oberea delongi

Cerambycidae

Identification: Mostly black except for legs and usually last one-two ventrites which are pale reddish yellow Venter of pronotum partially pale. Legs bright orange. Pronotum shiny. Det. J.N. Knull, 1941 Type Locality: Type, allotypc and two paralyses

Poplar-gall Saperda

Saperda inornata

Cerambycidae

Identification: typically has vague lateral stripes of thickened pubescence on the pronotum

Porotachys bisulcatus

Carabidae

Porotachys bisulcatus (Porotachys bisulcatus) is a species in the family Carabidae, commonly known as ground beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Trechinae, tribe Tachyini, suborder Adephaga. Thi

Porrhodites inflatus

Staphylinidae

Porrhodites inflatus (Porrhodites inflatus) is a species in the family Staphylinidae, commonly known as rove beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Omaliinae, tribe Anthophagini, suborder Polyphaga

Postica Lady Beetle

Hyperaspis postica

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures - "Elytron with single apical spot varying in size and shape"

Potato Bud Weevil

Anthonomus nigrinus

Curculionidae

Identification: Elongate-oval robust. Black, thinly clothed with fine whitish pubescence. Beak rather stout

Potato Flea Beetle

Psylliodes affinis

Chrysomelidae

Length 2 to 3 mm with straw yellow elytra marked with brown. It feeds on the leaves of various plants of the family Solanaceae cultivated or wild. Common and widespread in England and Wales.

Powderpost Bostrichid

Amphicerus cornutus

Bostrichidae

Identification: Strong sexual dimorphism. Male with four dentiform projections on declivity, and pronotum with concave front margin, edges cornute Female: elytral declivity simple, pronotum truncate apically comes to lights

Prasinalia cuneata

Buprestidae

Prasinalia cuneata is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found in Central America and North America.

Priacma serrata

Cupedidae

Identification: larger and grayer than Prolixocupes lobiceps . Prosternum lacks tarsal grooves and has short antennae. It is found in the yellow-pine forest of the Sierra Nevadas. They're slow fliers, but usually hover just out of reach. Known to be

Prickly Pill Beetle

Curimopsis echinata

Byrrhidae

Curimopsis echinata is a species of pill beetle in the family Byrrhidae. It is found in North America.

Pricklypoppy Blister Beetle

Lytta fulvipennis

Meloidae

One AZ record (Thomas Robbins, 2013 pers. comm. to MAQ)

Priobium carpini

Ptinidae

Priobium carpini (Priobium carpini) is a species in the family Ptinidae, commonly known as death-watch and spider beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Anobiinae, tribe Hadrobregmini, suborder Pol

Prionochaeta opaca

Leiodidae

Prionochaeta opaca (Prionochaeta opaca) is a species in the family Leiodidae, commonly known as round fungus beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Cholevinae, tribe Cholevini, suborder Polyphaga,

Prionus arenarius

Cerambycidae

Identification: Distinctive from all other Homaesthesis by the broad, flattened posterior tarsi with conspicuous setal fringes , modifications for walking on sand , Described from Monahans Sandhills State Park in western Texas Texas considers this a

Prionus emarginatus

Cerambycidae

Identification: Hairy "neck" distinguishes this species from other North American species in the genus. This species has localized populations, and adults can emerge in great numbers after heavy summer rains.

Prionus fissicornis

Cerambycidae

Identification: at least 25 antennomeres, often over 30

Prionus geminus

Cerambycidae

Identification: differs from P. emarginatus by the: imbrication of antennomeres in males slightly emarginated at apex (distinctly bifurcated in emarginatus ); last antennomere in males simple or slightly complex (distinctly complex in emarginatus );

Prionus heroicus

Cerambycidae

Prionus heroicus is a species of long-horned beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It is found in North America.

Prionus pocularis

Cerambycidae

Identification: Similar to P. laticollis . More brown, base of pronotum narrower, elytra more punctate, eyes more closely spaced. Metasternum of female is hairy, smooth in laticollis .

Prionus spinipennis

Cerambycidae

Identification: Prionus (H.) spinipennis may be distinguished from all other known Homaesthesis by the combination of 12-segmented antennae, expanded tarsi, dark-brown to piceous integument with wholly reddish antennae, and spinose sutural angle of t

Prionychus ater

Tenebrionidae

Length 12 to 14 mm. Dull appearance, head and pronotum densely and coarsely punctured. Prionychus melanarius is 10 to 12mm long with a shiny appearance with head & pronotum sparsely punctured. Good quality photographs and size of specimen required. N

Pristilophus pulcher

Elateridae

Identification: elytra dark yellowish with large black cross-shaped marking; black dash descending from humeral angle either separated from or merging with lateral arm of black cross; pronotum with middorsal black stripe, bordered laterally by dark o

Prolixocupes lobiceps

Cupedidae

Identification: Antennae slightly serrate, prosternum with widely separated tarsal grooves, head tubercles not conical with rear pair distinctly larger

Prolongate Lady Beetle

Coccinella prolongata

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures - Head black with 2 pale spots; pronotum with anterolateral pale spot larger than in any other species , (emphasis added) elytron with 2 black spots and a scutellar spot, suture narrowly darkened Det. T. Dobzhansky, 1

Pronocera collaris

Cerambycidae

Identification: Distinguished from the similar appearing Phymatodes testaceus by the more densely punctate elytra and polished pronotum without calli.

Prostephanus punctatus

Bostrichidae

Prostephanus punctatus (Prostephanus punctatus) is a species in the family Bostrichidae, commonly known as horned powder-post beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Dinoderinae, suborder Polyphaga,

Prosternon tessellatum

Elateridae

Length 9 to 11 mm. Rather rounded in appearance for a click beetle, uniformly dark in colour. Almost the whole of the surface area of the elytra covered in short golden brown hairs (in parts at right angle to striae, in parts parallel, giving the che

Prostomis americanus

Prostomidae

Identification: immature stages described in Schunger et al. (2003)

Protapion assimile

Apionidae

Length 2 to 3 mm. A small grey/black weevil. The legs have yellow femora but the tibiae are dark. Unless identified by a recognised expert, photographic evidence is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box,

Protapion nigritarse

Apionidae

1.5-2mm. Shining black with yellow legs and black tarsi. Very hard to distinguish from P. fulvipes without microscopic examination of the antennae. In Protapion nigritarse the antennal club is slightly less rounded and the 8th segment (immediately be

Protapion trifolii

Apionidae

Body length, 1.7 to 2.1 mm, not including the head. Body, antennae, and tarsi are black. Fore coxae and trochanters are reddish or dark-reddish, distinctly darker than femora. Femora yellow-reddish. Mid and hind tibiae are black or dark-brown; fore t

Prothalpia undata

Melandryidae

Identification: Newfoundland and Québec to North Carolina, west to Wisconsin

Protheca hispida

Ptinidae

Identification: Body small, with bristling pubescence changing in direction and thus forming lighter and darker areas under light.

Pruinose Bean Weevil

Stator pruininus

Chrysomelidae

Identification: easily recognized within the genus by uniformly gray appearance and reddish-yellow fore and mid legs

Psammodius laevipennis 0

Psammodius laevipennis

Scarabaeidae

Identification: habitus photos: ▭ · ▭ · ▭ earliest NA record: Mid-Atlantic States before 1848

Psammoecus bipunctatus

Silvanidae

Length 2.3-2.8 mm. This species is easily separated from related species by its colouring. It is yellowish with a darker head and a dark spot beyond the middle of each elytron. The scutellum, head and two penultimate antennomeres are also dark. There

Pseudanidorus unifasciatus

Aderidae

Identification: in our area, similar spp. ( P. lescheni & P. bifidus ) are resticted to AZ

Pseudanophthalmus hoffmani

Carabidae

Pseudanophthalmus hoffmani, or Hoffman's cave beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is endemic to Virginia in the United States.

Pseudanophthalmus holsingeri

Carabidae

considered by VA to be a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN)

Pseudapion rufirostre

Apionidae

Size 2.1 to 2.8 mm. Body black with a distinct metallic green lustre antennae and legs are mostly pale orange-yellow. The rostrum is long and curved; in the female as long as the head and pronotum combined and entirely dark metallic, in the male as l

Pseudaptinus tenuicollis

Carabidae

Pseudaptinus tenuicollis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in Central America and North America.

Pseudastylopsis pini

Cerambycidae

Type Locality: Carr Peak, Huachuca Mountains, Cochise Co., Arizona. Beaten from pines at an elevation of 9,000 feet.