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)

Thryallis undatus

Cerambycidae

Common in the sabal palm grove. Vogt collected one specimen near Mission, Hidalgo Co., the only Texas specimen collected outside of the palm grove.

Thryogenes nereis

Erirhinidae

3 to 4.5mm. A rather variable wetland weevil. The elytra usually have a rather mottled appearance, but may range from greyish, to brown or greenish in colour. It is usually found on Spike-rush, Eleocharis palustris Other Thryogenes species are very s

Thyce squamicollis

Scarabaeidae

Hardy recorded this species from El Paso, Reeves and Nueces counties in Texas. Riley & Wolfe collected this species in El Paso County. Given that all other localities are from far westem Texas and New Mexico, the Nueces County record seems doubtful.

Tigrinestola tigrina

Cerambycidae

Type Locality: Carr Canyon, Huachuca Mountains, Arizona.

Tile-horned Prionus

Prionus imbricornis

Cerambycidae

Identification: Antennae with 16–23 segments in ♂, 15–21 in ♀ On mid-summer nights, these hit lighted windows so hard at my house in Durham, NC, that I fear the glass will break. Mostly males come to lights.

Tillus elongatus

Cleridae

7-10mm. A distinctive species that is elongate and superficially like a soldier beetle. Males are all black but females have a bright red pronotum. Long but sparce hairs cover most of the dorsal surface. Both sexes have long, serrated antennae. A goo

Timothy Billbug

Sphenophorus zeae

Curculionidae

Identification: very large punctures along striae of elytra; beak humped at base

Tmesiphorus carinatus

Staphylinidae

Identification: Similar to T. costalis , except pale reddish-brown, densely punctate. Pubescence short, appressed. Vertex with median frontal groove broader, not connected by branches with the fovea . Basal abdominal tergite with a median ridge, as w

Toadflax Flower-eating Beetle

Brachypterolus pulicarius

Kateretidae

may have been introduced with imported toadflax plants (first NA record: NY 1919) ; now used to control its host plant

Tobacco Weevil

Trichobaris mucorea

Curculionidae

Lee et al. examined the host-selection behaviours of two sympatric weevils, the Datura (Trichobaris compacta) and tobacco (T. mucorea) weevils in field and glasshouse experiments... Adult females of both species strongly preferred to feed on D. wrigh

Tomarus subtropicus

Scarabaeidae

Identification: frontoclypeal tubercles transverse and low; pronotal punctures small; pronotal tubercle small but visible in lateral view; pronotal fovea shallow and narrow (⅓ as wide as interocular distance); protibia tridentate, rarely with an addi

Tomentous Soldier Beetle

Podabrus tomentosus

Cantharidae

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

Toothed Flea Beetle

Chaetocnema denticulata

Chrysomelidae

Chaetocnema denticulata, the toothed flea beetle, is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America.

Toothed Round Sand Beetle

Omophron dentatum

Carabidae

Identification: Pronotum with an irregular transverse band, pale area on front weakly M-shaped dorsal habitus photos: Erwin | Brett

Toramus bisignatus 0

Toramus bisignatus

Erotylidae

Identification: Pale fusco-testaceous, each elytron with a small piceous spot centrally placed, form of pulchellus but somewhat more acute behind, surface with moderately coarse pubescence.

Toramus chamaeropis

Erotylidae

Texas considers this to be a "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" (SGCN) ( 4 ) Type Locality: Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas

Toramus hirtellus 0

Toramus hirtellus

Erotylidae

Identification: Syntype - MCZ, Harvard Type Locality: Tampa

Toramus obsoletus 0

Toramus obsoletus

Erotylidae

Type Locality: Tucson, Gila Valley, Pima Co., Arizona

Toramus pulchellus

Erotylidae

Identification: elytra with a broad band behind the middle-both reddish-testaceous and indistinctly defined common at lights

Tortoise Beetle

Cassida vibex

Chrysomelidae

One of several similar beetles with flat, rounded bodies. It is pale golden green with a darker central band on its back. Amongst vegetation on roadsides and field margins etc. It is often found on Thistles and Yarrow in summer. Found mainly south of

Toxonotus bipunctatus

Anthribidae

Identification: Distinguished from any of our species by the black spots near basal angles of thorax, the divergent thoracic lines and the basal fascia extending along the sides to the middle of elytra. (Schaeffer 1904) Type Locality: Esperanza Ranch

Toxonotus fascicularis

Anthribidae

Toxonotus fascicularis is a species of fungus weevil in the beetle family Anthribidae. It is found in the Caribbean Sea and North America.

Toxonotus lividus

Anthribidae

Identification: Pronotum, elytra, and tibiae without erect tufts or fringes Det. v belov, 2021 Type Locality: One specimen Lake Harney, Florida, coll'ed by Messrs Hubbard and Schwarz

Toxonotus penicellatus

Anthribidae

Type Locality: Espranza Ranch, Brownsville, Texas Relatively rare (Barry Valentine, pers. comm. =v=) Texas considers this a "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" (SGCN) ( 3 )

Toxonotus vagus

Anthribidae

First US record: Arizona, Santa Cruz Co., Santa Rita Mountains, 24-VI-39, D. J. & J. N. Knull Collrs., [OSUC]

Toxotopsis cinnamopterus

Cerambycidae

Identification: uniformly brownish, with small vut distinct lteral pronotal tubercles, and rounded elytral apices comes to lights

Trachypachus gibbsii

Trachypachidae

Identification: Holotype Generally larger and broader than T. holmbergi , and less shiny due to stronger microsculpture. Prothorax less narrowed basally, transverse impression obsolete at middle. Elytral punctures arranged into more regular rows, les

Trachysida aspera

Cerambycidae

Identification: In T. aspera the whole elytra are dull and the punctures are regular in size, small and very dense. Robert Androw

Trachysida mutabilis

Cerambycidae

Identification: In T. mutabilis , the basal part of the elytra are more shining than the apical, and the punctures are larger at the base, with shining spaces between them. ( Robert Androw )

Tragidion annulatum

Cerambycidae

Tragidion annulatum is a species of beetle in the Cerambycidae family. It was described by LeConte in 1858.

Tragidion coquus

Cerambycidae

Identification: amount of orange on the elytra highly variable One hundred and eighty-seven specimens examined from north-central TX ( 4 )

Tragidion deceptum

Cerambycidae

Tragidion deceptum is a species of beetle in the Cerambycidae family. It was described by Swift & Ray in 2008. The adult is black with orange-yellow on the whole of the elytra except for the parts nearest the thorax. The insect is native to the south

Transverse Lady Beetle

Coccinella transversoguttata

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's Figures Numbers of this species are declining throughout its range, perhaps due to competition from introduced species such as the Seven-Spotted Lady Beetle ( Coccinella septempunctata ) and Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle ( H

Trechus apicalis

Carabidae

Identification: Normal last maxillary palpomere (unlike Bembidion), paler brownish elytra, and pronotum with straightish (non-sinuate) sides are helpful clues.

Trechus obtusus

Carabidae

Small (3.5 to 4 mm) brown or dark brown ground beetle. Found in a variety of habitats, including agricultural fields, hills and gardens. Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

Trechus quadristriatus

Carabidae

A small (about 4 mm) orange / brown ground beetle; the head and sometimes the pronotal disc being darker. It is a broad and flat species with weakly rounded and somewhat parallel elytra. The head is shiny black. It is very similar to Trechus obtusus

Triachus postremus

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Prothorax with a row of punctures at base, which is finely but distinctly margined; oval, convex, testaceous, elytra clouded with brown; Texas. (LeConte 1880)

Triariodes vittipennis

Chrysomelidae

Type Locality: “Occurs in southwestern Texas, precise region unknown.” (Horn 1893)

Triarius lividus

Chrysomelidae

Identification: quite variable in appearance. Future study may well prove that multiple true species are involved. ( 3 ) Type Locality: Arizona

Triarius nigroflavus

Chrysomelidae

Identification: sexually dimorphic (BG images show males); females are larger, with orange head and pronotum and a yellow elytra border with black and a longitudinal black stripe in the middle of each elytron. I have only seen records from Orange Cou

Triarius texanus 0

Triarius texanus

Chrysomelidae

Identification: tarsal claws appendiculate; head and metasternum yellow. The elytra are yellow, except for a narrow, dark brown sutural stripe [likely misidentified as T. lividus in some collections] (emphasis added) Holotype male: TEXAS: Brewster Co

Tribolium setosum

Tenebrionidae

Tribolium setosum (Tribolium setosum) is a species in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as darkling beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Tenebrioninae, tribe Triboliini, suborder Polyphaga

Trichaltica scabricula

Chrysomelidae

at high risk of endangerment due to the EAB ( 8 ) Type Locality: Texas (Belfrage)

Trichaltica tibialis

Chrysomelidae

Trichaltica tibialis is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae.

Trichapion disparatum

Brentidae

Identification: male rostrum distad of antennal insertion yellow

Trichapion proclive 0

Trichapion proclive

Brentidae

Identification: easily recognized by the dentate mucrones on male meso- & metatibiae; narrow frons; and abruptly declivitous dorsal margin of head above the posterior margin of eyes abundant

Trichastylopsis albidus

Cerambycidae

Trichastylopsis albidus is a species of longhorn beetles of the subfamily Lamiinae, and the only species in the genus Trichastylopsis. It was described by LeConte in 1852.

Trichiotinus bibens

Scarabaeidae

Identification: Elytra brown with greenish tinge. Pygidium lacks obvious chalky marks, or they are obscured by hair: More uniformly hairy on elytra, etc. than T. lunulatus . Head lacks V-shaped callus, present on T. lunulatus .

Trichiotinus lunulatus

Scarabaeidae

Identification: Usually green, occasionally coppery or even blue. Similar to T. bibens , but more southeastern. Generally less hairy, has V-shaped callus on head. Legs usually green or dark. Cretaceous (chalky) spots on pygidium not usually concealed

Trichochrous erythropus

Melyridae

Identification: a common spring species in South Texas, the Hill Country, and the Llano Estacado Det. M. L. Gimmel, 2022

Trichochrous insignis

Melyridae

Trichochrous insignis (Trichochrous insignis) is a species in the family Melyridae, commonly known as soft-winged flower beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Dasytinae, tribe Listrini, suborder P

Trichochrous pallescens

Melyridae

Identification: In some specimens the elytra at base and along the suture may be more or less piceous

Trichochrous rufipennis

Melyridae

Trichochrous rufipennis (Trichochrous rufipennis) is a species in the family Melyridae, commonly known as soft-winged flower beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Dasytinae, tribe Listrini, subord

Trichochrous texanus

Melyridae

Identification: body black, legs rufous or testaceous, strong punctuation of the head and thorax; the antennae are shorter than the head and thorax, with the third joint slender, and the fourth not as wide as the fifth. uniformly olivaceous above hig

Trichochrous varius

Melyridae

Identification: A very distinct form, represented before me by numerous specimens displaying considerable variation, the central dark area of the pronotum being wholly obliterated in some cases. Type Locality: Benson, Cochise Co., AZ

Trichodes apivorus

Cleridae

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

Trichodes bicinctus

Cleridae

Type Locality: 20 mi. s. of Marfa, Brewster Co., Texas (Green 1917)

Trichodesma gibbosum

Ptinidae

Identification: Elytra with a large basal dark patch, otherwise densely covered with pale recumbent hairs; tufts of dorsal surface almost black (combination is diagnostic)

Trichodesma pulchellum

Ptinidae

Identification: "...a narrow strongly dentate median band and apex with a denser white pubescence." (Schaeffer 1903) Det. E. G. Riley Type Locality: Esperanza Ranch, near Brownsville, Cameron Co., TX. (Schaeffer 1903) Texas considers this sp. a SGCN

Trichodesma texanum

Ptinidae

Type Locality: Esperanza Ranch, nr. Brownsville, Cameron Co., TX (Schaeffer 1903)

Trichosirocalus troglodytes

Curculionidae

A very small weevil of about 3.5 mm length. It is pale brown (sometimes slightly reddish) with a few paler whitish markings. Orange-brown legs, brown body. Angular rear, patch of warts on rear of each wing-case. Erect oval scales on wing-cases. Rathe

Trichoton sordidum

Tenebrionidae

Identification: apically bent protibia is a distinctive characteristic

Tricorynus texanus

Ptinidae

Texas considers this a "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" (SGCN) ( 5 )

Tricrania sanguinipennis

Meloidae

Identification: Body black with abundant hairs (setae), elytra red. Wings reduced--flightless . The only eastern Tricrania .

Trigonarthris atrata

Cerambycidae

Identification: more weakly pubescent pronotum , elytral coloration tends to be slightly more reddish-orange, and the body slighly broader , pronotum with distinct angles at middle of side

Trigonogya reticulaticollis

Buprestidae

Identification: Det. E. G. Riley, 2009 Type Locality: Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas Texas considers this a "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" (SGCN) At high risk of endangerment due to the EAB

Trigonorhinus griseus

Anthribidae

Identification: Each elytron without a prominent discal brown spot; sometimes a dark sutural stripe present

Trigonorhinus limbatus

Anthribidae

This sp. is being slowly reduced to isolated populations by competition with a related phenotype - T. l. vestitus (Say). I believe vestitus emerged from a hybrid stew ( limbatus x griseus (LeC.) originating in Texas, spreading and out-competing the t

Trigonorhinus riddelliae

Anthribidae

Barry Valentine, pers. comm. to =v=, 2009: "The Arizona Trigonorhinus was named riddelliae by Schaeffer, 1906. Based on the female ovipositor, I have considered it a subspecies of T. griseus (Leconte) described from Colorado, but have no proof that t

Trigonorhinus sticticus

Anthribidae

Identification: Each elytron with a prominent discal brown spot Det. V. Belov, 2020

Trigonorhinus tomentosus

Anthribidae

Identification: Species shows a great deal of variation (leading to multiple synonyms) "due to geographic and seasonal variation involving clines from north to south, east to west, and summer to fall."

Triodoclytus lanifer

Cerambycidae

Identification: This specimen has the typical transfer ivory band on the elytra. … Dennis Haines, 23 July, 2008

Triplax aenea

Erotylidae

A small (about 6 mm) and colourful beetle with greenish elytra studded in rows, and with orange head, pronotum and legs. Associated with fungi and can be found in numbers on large bracket fungi soon after they open. Widespread in the southern half of

Triplax errans

Erotylidae

Identification: elytra and scutellum orange red to brilliant strongly nitidous red (except in tenerals) Det. Paul Skelley, 2009 Type Locality: Brownsville, Cameron Co., Tex.

Triplax festiva

Erotylidae

Identification: color pattern unique among our erotylids

Triplax frosti

Erotylidae

infrequently collected, perhaps due to the cryptic nature of the host fungus

Triplax marcescens

Erotylidae

Identification: Dulled elytra, from Arizona (Paul Skelley, 12 August, 2013) "...elytra entirely dull, contrasting rather strongly with the nitidous pronotum." Another 'rare' erotylid form southern Arizona. I'm sure these are all more common, we just

Triplax russica

Erotylidae

5 to 6.5 mm. Elongate-oval, forebody and legs orange, elytra, scutellum and antennae black, underside extensively orange. Please provide photograph to support records. Typical habitats are deciduous woodland and parkland with plenty of mature trees i

Trirhabda attenuata

Chrysomelidae

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

Trirhabda diducta

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Compared to T. eriodictyonis (the only other congener feeding on Eriodictyon ), T. diducta typically have wider, well-defined sutural vittae. The pronotal spots and the occipital spot tend to be noticeably larger in T. diducta

Trirhabda eriodictyonis

Chrysomelidae

Other than T. eriodictyonis and T. diducta , only T. flavolimbata from coastal CA has been reported on Eriodictyon , considered an accidental occurrence

Trirhabda flavolimbata

Chrysomelidae

Identification: T. labrata is a lookalike which also feeds on Baccharis pilularis • other congeners in CA that may be mistaken for T. flavolimbata are T. luteocincta & T. sericotrachlya (both on Artemisia californica ); and T. confusa & T. manisi (b

Trirhabda labrata

Chrysomelidae

Identification: syntype • pronotal spots large; elytra entirely bright-green to blue-green except for thin pale margin, with sparse, inconspicuous pubescence T. labrata and T. flavolimbata are the only Trirhabda species reported to use the common coa

Trirhabda lewisii

Chrysomelidae

Identification: (Characters above culled from Blake, Wilcox, and Swigoňová & Kjer)

Trirhabda luteocincta

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Elytra frequently metallic green, blue, purple or purple-black, infrequently vittate. Underside of abdomen dark (green) with metallic luster, densely hairy. Pronotal spots large, with metallic luster, median spot wedge-shaped. Occipit

Trirhabda manisi

Chrysomelidae

Identification: The following description for T. manisi is quoted from the 1970 Ph.D dissertation of S. M. Hogue : Medium-sized; elytra metallic blue-green or green, non-vittate. Head with moderately dense, appressed hairs; epicranium alutaceous; pla

Trirhabda nitidicollis

Chrysomelidae

Identification: (Characters above culled from Blake, Wilcox, and Swigoňová & Kjer)

Trirhabda pilosa

Chrysomelidae

Identification: [Above culled from key and description in Blake (1931)]

Trirhabda pubicollis

Chrysomelidae

Blake's detailed original description from 1951 can be read at: http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/39697232 .

Trirhabda schwarzi

Chrysomelidae

Original description and reference Fig. 7 from Blake

Tritoma humeralis

Erotylidae

Identification: similar to T. biguttata but venter dark except tip of abdomen. The reddish humeral spots are also described to be farther apart than T. biguttata in (Boyle, 1956). The body is also elongate-oval, slightly pointed posteriorly.

Trixagus dermestoides

Throscidae

A very small, brown beetle measuring just 2.75 mm. It is the commonest of the Throscidae beetles, which are closely related to the more familiar Click Beetles (Elateridae). Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specime

Trochoideus desjardinsi

Endomychidae

a widespread and commonly collected species in the Old World tropics (Skelley and Burgess, 1995)

Troglodyte Lady Beetle

Hyperaspis troglodytes

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures Det. R. Gordon, 1986 Black with 5 pale spots on each elytron (wing cover) Male with pale pronotal margin, female with entirely black pronotum Hyperaspis troglodytes is so rare in collections that the possible range of

Trogoderma ballfinchae

Dermestidae

Identification: male antenna flabellate; female antenna pectinate

Trogoderma simplex

Dermestidae

Identification: images antennal cavity entirely punctate (except a small shining basal spot), punctures much larger than eye facets. Similarly patterned congeners have smooth regions and much smaller punctures in antennal cavity.

Trogoderma sinistrum

Dermestidae

Identification: Holotype Common in granaries throughout the Prairie Provinces

Trogoxylon aequale

Bostrichidae

Identification: dorsal pubescence fine/silky, vertex without tubercle, postclypeal and frontal lobes not strongly reflexed, pronotum quadrate, acutely rounded prothoracic anterior angles

Tropical Coppery Fungus Weevil

Neoxenus versicolor

Anthribidae

Identification: Cuticle and pubescence with unusually variable colors and patterns; cuticle from pale honey-brown (? teneral) to reddish brown to dark brown, sometimes with the anterior 1/4 and/or the declivity redder or paler, appendages paler than

Tropicus minutus 0

Tropicus minutus

Heteroceridae

Identification: Type - MCZ, Harvard tiny thing i see every once in a while at my porch lights; will post pics (=v=) Type Locality: Luling, TX.