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)

Brachycoryna pumila

Chrysomelidae

Identification: Elytra brownish with vague darker spots Det. E. G. Riley, 2009

Brachycorynus hirsutus

Anthribidae

Identification: The only described species with long, semi-erect setae on the body. ( 3 ) Holotype: "Texas, Hidalgo Co., Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park, 19-iv-1974." ( 3 )

Brachygluta abdominalis

Staphylinidae

Identification: Uniformly reddish brown, with head and pronotum each with three pits; pronotal pits about equal in size, pubescent. Head squarish, wide as prothorax, with antennae half as long as body. Pronotum not very convex, widest at middle, with

Brachyleptura circumdata

Cerambycidae

Identification: Smaller and paler than other congeners. Note strongly tapering pronotum and strong "neck" .

Brachyleptura dehiscens

Cerambycidae

Brachyleptura dehiscens is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It was described by LeConte in 1859.

Brachyleptura rubrica

Cerambycidae

Identification: Pronotum sharply angled, almost square, at the front. Elytra orange. Antennae prominently banded.

Brachyleptura vagans

Cerambycidae

Identification: Amount of red on elytra variable but umbone black. Typocerus lugubris is similarly colored, sometimes with umbone red but all-black antennae (vs banded in B. vagans ). B. champlaini is very similar.

Brachypnoea margaretae

Chrysomelidae

Identification: See apparently does not come to lights

Brachypnoea rotundicollis

Chrysomelidae

Type Locality: Esperanza Ranch and S. Tomas [Sabal Palm Grove], Brownsville, Cameron Co., TX apparently does not come to lights

Brachypnoea texana

Chrysomelidae

Rarely comes to lights Type Locality: Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas E. G. Riley, pers. comm. to MAQ, 2010: "This one is a mystery. It seems Schaeffer is the only person to ever collect this common species in the LRG. On this one, I think Schaeffer

Brachypterus glaber

Kateretidae

A very small, blackish beetle (about 2 mm). Brachypterus urticae is equally common and very similar but has pale legs. Found on Common Nettle, especially when flowering. It may also turn up occasionally on umbel flowers. Widespread and frequent in En

Brachypterus urticae

Kateretidae

Very small - probably less than 2 mm. A dark beetle with pale legs. It has punctate head, pronotum and elytra. Brachypterus glaber is similar but has dark legs. Occurs in a wide variety of habitats; woodland, parkland etc. and even the right kind of

Brachys ovatus

Buprestidae

Identification: Larger than some other commonly found members of this genus ( aerosus, aeruginosus ). Last abdominal sternite emarginate and fimbriate in female, rounded and not pubescent in male. Dorsally, the white-margined band of bronze pubescenc

Brachys wellsoi

Buprestidae

Type Locality: Texas: Ft. Bend Co., Brazos Bend St. Pk., 10.04.1999, E. G. Riley-770, sweep coastal prairie (TAMU-ENTO X0544867).

Brachysomida bivittata

Cerambycidae

Identification: highly variable in punctation & color (all-orange to all-black)

Brachysomida californica

Cerambycidae

Brachysomida californica is the species of the Lepturinae subfamily in long-horned beetle family. It was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851 and is endemic to California, USA where it is found only in Santa Cruz Mountains.

Brachysomida nigripennis

Cerambycidae

Identification: see comment at (...smooth, shining pronotum without pubescence at the base and along the margins... [no] dense punctation along the pronotal midline or distinct pubescence on the elytra)

Brachystylus sayi

Curculionidae

Identification: variable (can be even paler than first example and darker overall than the last example)

Bradycellus festinans

Carabidae

Identification: Body size, habitus, and coloration superficially like B. rupestris but differs (in part) by pronotum with hind angles well rounded (not denticulate).

Bradycellus harpalinus

Carabidae

4-5mm. Variable but generally reddish brown with pale legs and antennae, often with suture and elytral margins paler brown. Pronotum has rounded hind angles and non-sinuate sides. Eyes are large and protrude. The scutellary striae are long, nearly 2x

Bradycellus lineatus

Carabidae

Bradycellus lineatus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bradycellus lugubris

Carabidae

Identification: Some clues that help distinguish it from others in genus:

Bradycellus montanus

Carabidae

Bradycellus montanus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bradycellus neglectus

Carabidae

Identification: The uniform dark elytra and roundish hind pronotal angles help separate it from congeners

Bradycellus nigrinus

Carabidae

Identification: The uniformly dark dorsum and relatively sharp pronotal hind angles are characteristic

Bradycellus verbasci

Carabidae

Length 4.5 to 5mm. Pale red brown with the elytra darker towards the apex. Legs and antennae are all pale. The pronotum sides are sinuate with obtuse but sharp hind corners. The side borders on the pronotum extend onto the hind margin which is sharpl

Bradycinetulus ferrugineus

Geotrupidae

Purportedly attracted to light, but I can't confirm that*. On the other hand, I've dug up MANY in burrows that are often 2-3 feet deep. Can be locally very abundant. P.H. *in June 2021, I collected one at a MV/UV light sheet in southern Georgia, as c

Bradycinetulus rex

Geotrupidae

Type Locality: Sarita, Kenedy Co., Texas; 30 Nov 1911

Bradyrhynchoides constrictus

Curculionidae

Described from 3 spmns coll. in April by E. A. Schwarz in San Diego, Texas (Pierce 1913)

Branch Pruner

Psyrassa unicolor

Cerambycidae

Identification: uniformly orange to reddish-brown body, legs, and antennae; eyes black; body long, slender, and cylindrical; pronotum same width as head but almost twice as long; elytra nearly parallel-sided, slightly wider than pronotum and 3-5 time

Branchus whiteheadi

Tenebrionidae

Identification: usually encrusted with pale coating of soil (Steiner 1991)

Brassicogethes matronalis 0

Brassicogethes matronalis

Nitidulidae

Identification: see earliest record in our area: NS 2024

Brassicogethes viridescens

Nitidulidae

Identification: see updated key in earliest record in our area: ME 1993

Brassy Willow Beetle

Phratora vitellinae

Chrysomelidae

3.8 to 5.0 mm. Usually brassy/bronze but sometimes blueish or greenish. 2nd antennal segment shorter than 3rd. No depression on head between antennae. Both the adults and their larvae feed on the leaves of Willow and Poplar. Common and widespread thr

Brathinus varicornis

Staphylinidae

Identification: The white tipped antennae separate it from B. nitidus (all brown antennae) - D.S. Chandler

Broad-horned Flour Beetle

Gnatocerus cornutus

Tenebrionidae

Identification: male has broad horns on mandibles minor pest of cereal and animal products , usually associated with infestations of moths ; earliest NA record: ca.1670

Broadheaded Anobiid

Platybregmus canadensis

Ptinidae

attacks maple & basswood flooring and elm timbers in buildings ( 3 )

Bronze Birch Borer

Agrilus anxius

Buprestidae

The bronze birch borer Agrilus anxius is a wood-boring Buprestid beetle native to North America, more numerous in warmer parts of the continent and rare in the north. It is a serious pest on birch trees (Betula), frequently killing them. The river bi

Bronze Leaf Beetle

Diachus auratus

Chrysomelidae

Identification: See LeConte for key to most spp. the most widely dist. Diachus in NA

Bronze Poplar Borer

Agrilus liragus

Buprestidae

Woodpeckers enjoy eating the larvae, pupae, and adults. ( 3 )

Bronzed Tiger Beetle

Cicindela repanda

Carabidae

Identification: Labrum small with one tooth; pronotum coppery and hairy. Shoulder marking (humeral lunule) touches or nearly touches the middle band.

Bronzy Brassica Flea Beetle

Phyllotreta aeneicollis

Chrysomelidae

Identification: elytra blue-green, thorax aeneous; tibiae pale Det. E. G. Riley, 2012 The coloration of this one matches the type. This is metallic pronotum and elytra in different colours and pro-tibia dark (at least not completely pale). The other

Brooklime Leaf Beetle

Prasocuris junci

Chrysomelidae

Size: 4 to 5 mm. Prasocuris junci is a very dark metallic blue or occasionally dark green beetle. Water margins where Brooklime ( Veronica beccabunga ) and Water-speedwells are present. Prasocuris junci grazes on leaves of Brooklime and Water-speedwe

Brothylus gemmulatus

Cerambycidae

Brothylus gemmulatus is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It was described by LeConte in 1859.

Brown Chafer

Serica brunnea

Scarabaeidae

8 to 10 mm. Entirely brown, but the head between the eyes is a darker brown. Head, thorax and elytra are punctate. Locally fairly frequent across England, Wales and southern Scotland.

Brown Dot Leafy Spurge Flea Beetle

Aphthona cyparissiae

Chrysomelidae

common in ND ( 4 ) Introduced from Europe 1986 to control Euphorbia , esp. E. cyparissias (Leafy Spurge)

Brown Leaf Notcher

Epicaerus mexicanus

Curculionidae

a Mexican species extending into Texas at Brownsville (Pierce, 1910)

Brown Leaf Weevil

Phyllobius oblongus

Curculionidae

4 - 5.5 mm. Brown elytra, lacking scales but with many erect hairs. Legs pale. Head, pronotum and underside black. Phyllobius is a genus of broad-nosed weevils that are commonly found on low herbage and in trees during spring and summer. Most are cov

Brown Powderpost Beetle

Lyctus brunneus

Bostrichidae

Brown Powderpost Beetle (Lyctus brunneus) 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 Lyctinae, tribe Lyctini, suborder Poly

Brown Spider Beetle

Ptinus latro

Ptinidae

Brown Spider Beetle (Ptinus latro) 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 Ptininae, tribe Ptinini, suborder Polyphaga,

Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle

Tetropium fuscum

Cerambycidae

Tetropium fuscum, the brown spruce longhorn beetle, is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It was described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1787. Tetropium fuscum is native to Europe and Northern Asia, and has been introduced to Nova Scot

Brown Willow Beetle

Galerucella lineola

Chrysomelidae

4-5.4 mm. Tawny brown with black markings on the head. The elytra are coarsely punctuated and the pronotal disc is finely pubescent with a faint dark spot. The antennal segments are pale brown but usually with darker on the dorsal surface. The elytra

Bruchidius cisti 0

Bruchidius cisti

Chrysomelidae

Bruchidius cisti is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China) and North America.

Bruchidius varius

Chrysomelidae

2.5 to 3.0 mm. Body black with characteristic pattern of pale grey or golden brown scales. Head densely punctured and sparsely scaled, with a shiny raised longitudinal ridge between eyes. Eyes prominent, with a deep narrow incision which is visible f

Bruchidius villosus

Chrysomelidae

Adult - a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope and key feature photogrpahed. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters. Larval stage: photograph the mined

Bruchus affinis

Chrysomelidae

Identification: most resembles B. rufimanus , differs in: - lateral tooth on pronotum more anteriour in position (at about 1/3); - pygidium with conspicous dark spots, similar as in B. pisorum ; - last 1/4 of elytra black, usually each with a curved

Bruchus atomarius

Chrysomelidae

2.5-3.6mm. Dense pale patch at rear of pronotum and centrally on suture of elytra. Several other smaller pale patches. Leg colour is same as the basic colour except front femur and tibia which are orange.Males possess a sub-apical tooth on the mid ti

Bruchus loti

Chrysomelidae

1.7 to 2.5 mm. A grey seed eating leaf beetle. The basal part of the antenna is pale brown as is most of the foreleg. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments

Bruchus rufimanus

Chrysomelidae

Sometimes known as the Broad Bean Weevil (or Broad Bean Beetle). At 3.5-5 mm, this is the largest species in the genus Bruchus . The elytra are grey-brown, flecked with white, and are shorter than the body. The antennae are orange at the base, and wh

Brucita marmorata

Chrysomelidae

Identification: This is a highly distinctive chrysomelid not likely to be confused with other Lower Rio Grande Valley species. ( 3 ) Texas considers this a SGCN ( 5 )

Brullé's Lady Beetle

Scymnus brullei

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures May have large pale areas

Brumoides septentrionis

Coccinellidae

Identification: Red with black suture and additional black markings: may be two black spots on each elytron or one stripe on each elytron. Gordon's figures for B. septentrionis septentrionis and B. septentrionis hogei Note, this is basically a wide r

Bryoporus rufescens

Staphylinidae

Identification: well-organized punctures of the pronotum. Color is highly variable between this species pair (i.e. the species names are misleading). … Adam Brunke, 11 April, 2010 - 12:42pm

Buffalo Carpet Beetle

Anthrenus scrophulariae

Dermestidae

Identification: Scales of dorsal surface black, white and red (or yellow), distributed in a characteristic pattern. Eyes notched in front, antennae 11-segmented, with club of 3 segments. image on cover of first ed. of Peterson's Field Guide to the In

Bull Headed Dung Beetle

Onthophagus taurus

Scarabaeidae

Identification: Major males have long horns and are easy to identify earliest record in our area: FL 1971

Bumelia Borer

Plinthocoelium suaveolens

Cerambycidae

Identification: Large, metallic green, bronze, or blue (highly variable). Reddish femora . - red form is least common Adults are attracted to UV lights and rarely to bait.

Buprestis confluenta

Buprestidae

Thomas Say, American Entomology: "A specimen was presented to me, when at Fort Osage, on the Missouri river, by Lieut. Scott, of the Rifle regiment, a gentleman, whose extraordinary skill as a marksman, has almost passed into a proverb, in that count

Buprestis consularis

Buprestidae

This is quite confusing since B. consularis is usually treated as a synonym of B. nutalli (since Helfer 1941) in most of the popular literature (including the list by Poole & Gentilli, the volume on Canadian Buprestids by Bright, and finally Downie a

Buprestis fremontiae

Buprestidae

Identification: When alive the color is ivory with orange elytral apices and purple metallic highlights on the dark areas.

Buprestis parmaculativentris

Buprestidae

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

Byrrhus americanus

Byrrhidae

Byrrhus americanus is a species of pill beetle in the family Byrrhidae. It is found in North America.

Byturus ochraceus

Byturidae

A small brown species (around 3.5 to 5mm long.) The appearance is very similar to the Raspberry beetle (Byturus tomentosus). Byturus tomentosus and B. ochraceus are very similar but can be distinguished by careful viewing. B. tomentosus is slightly s

Cabbage Curculio

Ceutorhynchus rapae

Curculionidae

attacks broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and turnip plants by mining the stalks and feeding on the leaves ( 5 )

Cabbage Palm Longhorn

Osmopleura chamaeropis

Cerambycidae

Identification: Unique can be locally abundant ( 4 )

Cabbage Seed Weevil

Ceutorhynchus obstrictus

Curculionidae

Adults have round grey bodies (2 to 4 mm in length) and grey legs covered with fine white scales. Ceutorhynchus obstrictus has a long curved proboscis with small bent antennae. When disturbed, it displays the interesting behaviour of folding its legs

Cabbage Stem Weevil

Ceutorhynchus pallidactylus

Curculionidae

This is a small (about 3 mm) dark weevil with scattered white or creamy scales, generally dense behind scutellum. Unless identified by a recognised expert, photographic evidence is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In th

Cabbage-stem Flea Beetle

Psylliodes chrysocephala

Chrysomelidae

Length 3 to 4.7 mm. A rather variable flea beetle. The elytra may vary in colour from dark blue or green through to black, though the typical form is dark metallic blue. Variety anglica is yellow to pale brown. It has the thickened thighs that are ty

Caccodes granicollis

Cantharidae

Identification: See detailed comments under this image: Quoting the original description: Head dark orange with a brunneous interocular fascia behind the antennae, antennae piceous with the basal segment paler at the basal half; pronotum brunneous wi

Caccoleptus kacka

Dermestidae

the neotropical subg. Bicaccoleptus Háva 2004 contains a total of 6 spp., one ranging into FL

Cacostola lineata

Cerambycidae

Type Locality: Brownsville, Texas Texas considers this a "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" (SGCN) ( 4 )

Cactus Lady Beetle

Chilocorus cacti

Coccinellidae

Identification: Gordon's figures - mesosternum, metasternum, and abdomen yellow or red. Spmn from central Texas

Cadelle

Tenebroides mauritanicus

Trogossitidae

larvae and adults can bore into the woodwork of storage compartments and emerge later to reinfest new shipments ( 6 )

Cadiz hardyi

Chrysomelidae

Cadiz is a genus of leaf beetles in the subfamily Chrysomelinae, found in North America. It contains only one species, Cadiz hardyi, which was described from the Cadiz Dunes in San Bernardino County, California.

Caecossonus dentipes

Curculionidae

Caecossonus dentipes (Caecossonus dentipes) 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 Lymantini, suborder Po

Caenia amplicornis

Lycidae

Identification: Apparent male on left, female on right.

Caenia dimidiata

Lycidae

Identification: Similar to Calopteron terminale , but has comb-like antennae, and scutellum is black Evans notes it "has pectinate antennae in both sexes; branches on 4-10 longer at attached at based of the antennomeres in male, but shorter and arisi

Caenocara bicolor

Ptinidae

Identification: Body black, except for head and pronotum brown; last antennal segment scimitar shaped in male (both diagnostic) Det. M. DiGirolomo, 2022

Caenocara oculatum

Ptinidae

Identification: Black, dorsal surface with bristling hairs; last segment of maxillary palpi broadly triangular, bluntly emarginate apically (diagnostic vs. most remaining species).

Caenocara scymnoides

Ptinidae

Identification: Pubescence short and inclined, antennal club in male blackish

Cafius canescens

Staphylinidae

Identification: useful in photo discrimination of C. canescens/seminitens is the nature of acrocostal sutures on abdomen (the fine line bordering the anteriour margin of terga): straight in C. canescens , wavy in C. seminitens ; well seen: (different

Cafius seminitens

Staphylinidae

Cajun Tiger Beetle

Dromochorus pilatei

Carabidae

Dromochorus pilatei, the cajun tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Calamosternus granarius

Scarabaeidae

A small species, with a length of around 4mm it is dark brown or blackish and resembles several other members of this family. Common across southern England becoming scarcer in the north. No additional images available for this species.

Calathus (Certocalathus) advena

Calathus advena

Carabidae

Calathus advena is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Calathus fuscipes

Carabidae

Length 10 to 14 mm. This is a large, black ground beetle. Legs and antennae are usually red but can be dark. It has a relatively smooth outline, with the pronotum and elytra more or less forming a continuous line. Dry open ground, including gardens a

Calathus ingratus

Carabidae

Calathus ingratus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Calathus melanocephalus

Carabidae

Length about 6 to 8 mm. It is usually black with a bright red thorax and pale legs. This ground beetle is usually found where there is bare, sandy soil. It lives during the day under stones and amongst leaf litter, coming out to hunt for small invert

Calathus rotundicollis

Carabidae

Length 8 to 11.5mm. It can be identified by the reddish edges of the pronotum. Found under logs and stones, even in well wooded areas. Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

Calaveras Lady Beetle

Scymnus calaveras

Coccinellidae

Identification: large size, black color (pronotum entirely black) and reddish brown pubescence makes this sp. relatively east to ID

California Deathwatch Beetle

Hemicoelus gibbicollis

Ptinidae

Identification: A triangular projecting part of the pronotal side margin is typical, and diagnostic to the species, but this can be almost lacking. Coulour is brown or black, and elytra may appear indistinctly longitudinally striped.