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)

Bassareus clathratus

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Det. E. U. Balsbaugh, Jr. 1977 MO: Randolph Co. Type Locality: Pennsylvania

Bassareus detritus

Chrysomelidae

Identification: The only species in the genus with an opaque pronotum. Det. A. Deczynski, 2011

Bassareus lituratus

Chrysomelidae

Bassareus lituratus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America.

Basswood Leaf Miner

Baliosus nervosus

Chrysomelidae

Basswood Leaf Miner (Baliosus nervosus) is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as leaf beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Cassidinae, tribe Chalepini, suborder Polyphaga, supe

Bay-necked Cryptocephalus

Cryptocephalus badius

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Det. J. R. Watts, 2008 The 69 specimens examined by White in the USNM were collected in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi, Kansas, and Oklahoma.

Bay-winged Harp Ground Beetle

Bradycellus badipennis

Carabidae

Identification: "Leg coloration varies from entirely rufous to femora blackish against rufous tibiae" (PWM, pers.obs.)

Bayberry Agrilus

Agrilus sayi

Buprestidae

Identification: both pronotum and head red (in A. ruficollis , pronotum only); not quite as black as A. ruficollis

Beautiful Tiger Beetle

Cicindela pulchra

Carabidae

Identification: Most are metallic purple, but can be deep dull purple also. Maculation in Colorado can vary from a well defined middle band to no maculation at all. In Arizona/southern New Mexico the maculation is greatly expanded; these populations

Bellamira scalaris

Cerambycidae

Identification: Large, with short head and long "neck" (pronotum). Elytra "bottle-shaped", with somewhat variable markings. Male has expanded tip of abdomen

Belonuchus rufipennis

Staphylinidae

Identification: Black, with elytra and first four abdominal tergites reddish-yellow or reddish-brown. Labial and maxillary palpomeres long and narrow. Pronotum longer than wide, with rows of 4–5 punctures on top, 5-6 on sides. Largest lateral pronota

Beloved Harp Ground Beetle

Acupalpus carus

Carabidae

Acupalpus carus is a black coloured insect-eating ground beetle of the Acupalpus genus which can be found in Canada and the United States.

Bembidion acticola

Carabidae

Bembidion acticola is a species of beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found along the East Coast of the United States, from Maryland to Long Island.

Bembidion acutifrons

Carabidae

Identification: https://www.zoology.ubc.ca/~biodiv/entomology/main/Coleoptera/Carabidae/Trechinae/Bembidion%20acutifrons%20(1dorsal).jpg

Bembidion americanum

Carabidae

Identification: Some helpful clues include: uniform brassy metallic luster that is not very shiny, elytra with striae all well defined and densely punctured, also four noticeably larger dorsal punctures.

Bembidion antiquum

Carabidae

Bembidion antiquum is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Trechinae. It is found in Canada and the United States.

Bembidion articulatum

Carabidae

2.9 to 3.9 mm. Antennae with at least 3 pale basal segments, most of the fourth also usually pale. Pronotum with longitudinal central furrow, strongly constricted to base. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo do

Bembidion basicorne

Carabidae

Bembidion basicorne is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion bifossulatum

Carabidae

Identification: The large punctures on elytra and entirely dark antennae are helpful features. This species is restricted to the far west versus similar B. b. cheyennense that ranges toward the east (Maddison 1993). However, Y. Bousquet (pers. comm.)

Bembidion biguttatum

Carabidae

This small beetle (~4mm) is shiny black with a blue reflection. It has a rounded pronotum which becomes strongly sinuate at the base. The elytra have 7 deeply punctured striae (plus a short scutellary stria) with two pale sub-apical spots. The antenn

Bembidion bowditchii

Carabidae

Identification: https://www.zoology.ubc.ca/~biodiv/entomology/main/Coleoptera/Carabidae/Trechinae/Bembidion%20bowditchii%20(1dorsal)%20SEM-UBC%20COL-34987.jpg

Bembidion brachythorax

Carabidae

Identification: https://www.zoology.ubc.ca/~biodiv/entomology/main/Coleoptera/Carabidae/Trechinae/Bembidion%20brachythorax%20(1dorsal).jpg

Bembidion chalceum

Carabidae

Bembidion chalceum (Bembidion chalceum) 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 Bembidiini, suborder Adephaga. This sp

Bembidion clarkii

Carabidae

3.3-3.8mm. Shining black but with a subtle brassy brown reflection. Antennae black except for the first segment which is pale. Legs are pale brown. The pronotum is strongly sinuate then constricted at the hind end. It has two pairs of deep frontal fu

Bembidion compressum

Carabidae

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

Bembidion consimile

Carabidae

Bembidion consimile is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion corgenoma

Carabidae

Identification: lateral lobes of the mentum well projected; antennomeres 1‒3 sharply pale; pronotal base relatively smooth (sparsely punctate); western coastline location. otherwise similar to B. transversale (which probably does not extend into CA)

Bembidion dentellum

Carabidae

A large Bembidion, 5 to 6 mm. It has dark brown elytra with various lighter markings usually after the middle, although these may be obscure or missing. Marshes and well vegetated water margins. Also in flood refuse, on gravel bars and in mud. Widesp

Bembidion dyschirinum

Carabidae

Bembidion dyschirinum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, found in North America.

Bembidion egens

Carabidae

Identification: Elytra with more distinct pale pattern and weaker impressed elytral striae; Pronotum base somewhat broader, with parallel hind angle section longer and with weak but distinct carinae. difficult to distinguish from B. nogalesium Casey

Bembidion festivum

Carabidae

Bembidion festivum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion foveum

Carabidae

Identification: Elytra without distinct mirrors, with small silver spots. Elytra long and parallel sided, relatively wider than narrow prothorax. First protarsomere of male much larger than in related species.

Bembidion guttula

Carabidae

A small ground beetle (only about 3 to 3.5 mm long). It is black or dark bronze with sub-apical pale spots on the elytra and paler tips to the elytra as well. It only has 6 stria (excluding the scutellary stria). Bembidion biguttatum is similar and a

Bembidion hastii

Carabidae

Bembidion hastii is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is a Holarctic species found in northern Eurasia from Norway to the Far East and in North America (Alaska and Canada).

Bembidion immaturum

Carabidae

Bembidion immaturum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion impotens

Carabidae

Identification: Entire dorsum very shiny due to lack of microsculpture

Bembidion inaequale

Carabidae

Identification: As the species names suggests, note unequal striae (lines) near base of elytra.

Bembidion insulatum

Carabidae

Bembidion insulatum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion lampros

Carabidae

A small (3-4mm) beetle. It is very shiny, normally brassy, with reddish brown legs. Elytra with less than 7 strya. It frequents most dry habitats, including gardens and agricultural land.

Bembidion levettei

Carabidae

Identification: both sspp. imaged here Relatively common

Bembidion lorquinii

Carabidae

Identification: Similar to B. hesperium , with which it is often found. B. lorquinii is larger, more slender, and less shiny. In addition, the striae of B. lorquinii are shallower, especially around the silver spots, and the punctures are smaller.

Bembidion lunulatum

Carabidae

Small (3.5-4mm) black ground beetle, usually with pale sub-apical elytral spots though these can be faint or obscure. It has a well-rounded pronotum which contracts sharply at its base, giving the beetle a distinct 'waist'. It has dark brown legs and

Bembidion mckinleyi

Carabidae

Bembidion mckinleyi (Bembidion mckinleyi) 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 Bembidiini, suborder Adephaga. This

Bembidion mutatum

Carabidae

Bembidion mutatum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion obliquum

Carabidae

A small (~4mm) beetle with a characteristic X pattern on the elytra. Other Bembidion spp, particularly Bembidion varium. Typically on bare mud at the edges of bodies of water. Widespread in England where suitable habitat occurs. No additional images

Bembidion obtusum

Carabidae

A small (3 to 3.5mm) black or brown-black ground beetle. Raised keel on shoulder of elytra is characteristic. This species seems to have a pronounced south-easterly distribution in Britain with only a handful of Scottish and Welsh records.

Bembidion pedicellatum

Carabidae

Identification: Elytral pattern similar to B. quadrimaculatum oppositum but posterior spot sometimes absent; frontal furrows subparallel; pronotum small, scarcely wider than head; elytral punctures usually coarser

Bembidion plagiatum

Carabidae

The only eastern member of the striola group See for a detailed note about this interesting species.

Bembidion platynoides

Carabidae

Bembidion platynoides is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion poculare

Carabidae

Identification: Combination of four elytral spots plus pronotum with markedly rounded base is distinctive.

Bembidion properans

Carabidae

3.5 to 4.5 mm. A shiny metallic brassy or bronze beetle, sometimes distinctly blue or green, legs dark with the tibiae mostly pale. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. I

Bembidion punctulatum

Carabidae

A fairly small (4.5 to 5.5 mm) green or bronze ground beetle. Often associated with shingle areas, but not exclusively so. Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain, but with fewer records from the south east. No additional images available for this

Bembidion quadrimaculatum

Carabidae

A small beetle with dark brown or almost black studded elytra marked with four pale yellow or orangey spots. Antennnae and femora mid-brown not black, apical part of antennae darker than distal part. Unlike similar members of the family it is found i

Bembidion quadrulum

Carabidae

Bembidion quadrulum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion rupicola

Carabidae

Bembidion rupicola is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion salinarium

Carabidae

Identification: Eyes flatter[than on ephippigerum ]. Prothorax with flat basal foveae. Elytra almost oviform with shoulders narrower and sides more evenly rounded, greatest width about middle. (Lindroth [addition by Graham for clarif.])

Bembidion scopulinum

Carabidae

Identification: Characteristic combination of punctures on the head medial to eyes, pronotum without laterobasal carina, and microsculpture. A pair of red spots on posterior part of elytra.

Bembidion scudderi

Carabidae

Bembidion scudderi is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion semicinctum

Carabidae

Identification: A northeastern species distinguished from similar species by elytra with ill-defined pale reddish area at base & shoulders.

Bembidion semistriatum

Carabidae

Identification: elytra characteristic: red-brown to blackish with serial setae in all intervals

Bembidion siticum

Carabidae

Bembidion siticum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion subangustatum

Carabidae

Bembidion subangustatum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion tetracolum

Carabidae

Length: 5-6 mm. The head and pronotum are dark metallic green, elytra are dark brown but with lighter patches on the 'shoulders' and more diffusely near the apex. Antennae are dark with 3 pale basal segments. The pronotum is strongly contracted to th

Bembidion texanum

Carabidae

Identification: Det. E. G. Riley, 2010 Type Locality: Texas

Bembidion trechiforme

Carabidae

Bembidion trechiforme is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion varium

Carabidae

Approx 4 to 5 mm. The elytra are a dark olive brown flecked with orange-red. This species can be identified with care but there are similar species that it could be confused with. Please provide a photograph to support your record, and if possible pl

Bembidion versicolor

Carabidae

Identification: Some distinguishing characteristics include mosaic elytra; pronotum with relatively dull luster and lateral margins parallel toward base.

Bembidion versutum

Carabidae

Bembidion versutum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion zephyrum

Carabidae

Identification: differentiating from B. levettei discussed here

Berosus aculeatus

Hydrophilidae

Identification: elytral apices prolonged, especially in females, and usually with a small preapical tubercle near suture (best developed in females)

Berosus affinis

Hydrophilidae

A small (3.5 to 4.5 mm) water beetle. The elytra have a straw ground colour with a prominent pair of dark spots near the suture and additional spots nearer the apex. The black head, bulging eyes and broad dark patch on the pronotum are particularly n

Berosus hatchi

Hydrophilidae

Identification: steeply declivous carina on ventrite 1

Berosus infuscatus

Hydrophilidae

Identification: quite variable in size and in hue; some individuals are quite dark

Berosus metalliceps

Hydrophilidae

Identification: Head dark metallic green or bronzed. Pronotum reddish-yellow, immaculate Type Locality: Mexico: Tres Marias Islands

Betulapion simile

Apionidae

An extremely small, dark weevil, measuring only about 2 mm in length. Betulapion simile is one of several similarly coloured, small weevils which need detailed examination for species identification. Unless identified by a recognised expert, photogra

Bidessonotus inconspicuus

Dytiscidae

Identification: B. pulicarius ≤2.0 mm; B. longovalis : elytral plicae distinctly longer than pronotal plicae

Big Sand Tiger Beetle

Cicindela formosa

Carabidae

Identification: C. f. formosa : elytra reddish/purple ▪ C. f. generosa : elytra dark brown to black ▪ C. f. pigmentosignata

Bipectinate Click Beetle

Pityobius anguinus

Elateridae

Fairly uncommon. Other than a few lines of text in American Beetles, the only other reference I found was a brief mention in Coleoptera or Beetles East of the Great Plains ( 3 )

Biphyllus lunatus

Biphyllidae

3 to 3.5mm. Dark brown with with a dense patch of pale hairs in the middle of the elytra. Short curved setae around the outer edge of pronotum and elytra. Legs and antennae reddish brown. Usually found on or beneath King Alfred's Cakes fungus (Daldin

Birch Leaf Roller

Deporaus betulae

Rhynchitidae

This is an all-black weevil with punctate elytra, 3-5 mm. The males have swollen femora on the rear legs but not the females. The elytra are oblong-shaped. The rostrum is broad and widens towards the tip. Caenorhinus mannerheimii has a head width (ac

Bird Nest Carpet Beetle

Anthrenus isabellinus

Dermestidae

Identification: Eyes notched in front, antennae 11-segmented, with club of 3 segments. Scales of dorsal surface black, white and red (or yellow). White scales forming some small spots, and a wide transverse band in anteriour half of elytra; or white

Bisaltes tibialis

Cerambycidae

Identification: males have flamboyant tibia Type Locality: Brownsville, Cameron Co., TX (Schaeffer 1908) Texas considers this a SGCN ( 5 )

Bisnius hesperidum

Staphylinidae

Identification: Member of the Albionicus group, in which there are 2 species (this and B. albionicus (Mannerheim)) in North America . The 2 species are most reliably distinguished via study of the male genitalia .

Bisnius siegwaldii

Staphylinidae

Identification: Easily recognizable amongst the genus: Head punctures arranged in "V", irregular dorsal row of punctures of pronotum, greenish metallic elytra, and the unique shape of the genitalia

Bitoma carinata

Zopheridae

Identification: readily distinguished by the dark, cylindrical body, pronotum distinctly longer than wide (emphasis added), distinctly granulate with 2 pairs of well-defined, full-length, slightly curved to sinuate carinae, and reduced interfacetal s

Bitoma crenata

Zopheridae

This small beetle (around 3mm) is sometimes called the Saddle-backed Bitoma and the black 'saddle' on red elytra is a helpful identification guide. It also has characteristic deep ridges along the pronotum. In well wooded areas and parkland where it

Bitoma granulata

Zopheridae

Identification: easily separated from N.American congeners by the greatly reduced eyes and the extremely flattened body extremely rare

Bitoma neglecta

Zopheridae

Identification: similar to B. gracilis , but less elongate, generally darker and larger; pronotum wider, prosternum setose, eyes set farther apart ventrally

Bitoma ornata

Zopheridae

Identification: the only native western species with red spots

Bitoma sulcata

Zopheridae

Identification: the last segment (ninth) of its antenna is twice as wide as the eighth. (CBP) Type Locality: Colorado River, about Fort Yuma, Imperial Co., California

Bitoma vittata

Zopheridae

Identification: diagnostic character: pronotum greatly explanate and distinctly narrowed basally uncommon

Black Carpet Beetle

Attagenus unicolor

Dermestidae

Identification: Telling apart the subspecies: in A. u. unicolor , the pronotum and elytra are almost entirely covered with dark setae; in A. u. japonicus , the sides and base of the pronotum and the base of the elytra have distinctive golden brown se

Black Chilocorus

Chilocorus nigrita

Coccinellidae

Identification: the only medium-sized, non-pubescent, glossy black coccinellid in Florida with a pale head and lateral margins of the pronotum (Featured Creatures) larva yellow or brown with long spines. first collected in Florida in October 2007, in

Black Clock Beetle

Pterostichus madidus

Carabidae

A large (15-20 mm) shiny black ground beetle with either all black legs or wine-red legs (variety concinnus ). The well-rounded pronotum helps to distinguish this species from other similar ground beetles. Lives under stones, loose bark and grass tus

Black Flour Beetle

Tribolium madens

Tenebrionidae

Identification: robust, shiny black to blackish brown images: 1 | 2 earliest record in our area: before 1897?

Black Fungus Beetle

Alphitobius laevigatus

Tenebrionidae

Identification: differs from A. diaperinus in having the eye more deeply incised (width about 1 facet laterally) and the pronotum more convex, its lateral margins more rounded and the basal bead complete

Black Lordithon Rove Beetle

Lordithon niger

Staphylinidae

Rare , considered to be a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in VA

Black Oil-beetle

Meloe proscarabaeus

Meloidae

A large (~30mm) shiny black beetle with a straight base to the thorax and a very small rounded tooth at the base. Detailed photos showing key features required. Unimproved grassland, occasionally woodland sites. Found throughout the UK, less common i

Black Pollen Beetle

Fabogethes nigrescens

Nitidulidae

North America's most commonly encountered meligethine species. Yes, there are a few other species, but it seems like 9 times out of 10 they are nigrescens . --Andy Cline

Black Sexton Beetle

Nicrophorus humator

Silphidae

There are several Sexton beetles in the UK but this is the only all black species (apart from the orange tips to its antennae) and it is large (20-30 mm). As they fly long distances to feed on carrion they can be seen a wide variety of habitats were

Black Stinkhorn Beetle

Psilopyga histrina

Nitidulidae

Identification: The solid black coloration (lighter on teneral specimens) and slightly smaller size distinguish it from its otherwise similar P. nigripennis