BEETLES

The most diverse group of The most diverse group of organisms on Earth – over organisms on Earth – over

300,000 species300,000 species

Virus (1000)Bacteria (4760)Fungi (46983)Algae (26900)Plants (248428)Protozoa (30800)Worms (48000)Molluscs (50000)Insects (751000)Other arthropods (123161)Vertebrates (43853)

Total 1,392,485Total 1,392,485

# of described species of organisms on # of described species of organisms on EarthEarth

# of # of insectinsect species in N. America: species in N. America:ca. 90,000ca. 90,000

# of # of beetlebeetle species: ca. 30,000 species: ca. 30,000# of families: 111# of families: 111

mandiblesmandibles

antennaeantennae

elytra elytra (hard (hard fore wings)fore wings)

membraneousmembraneoushind wingshind wings

abdomenabdomen

Beetle structureBeetle structure

Rove beetles – StaphylinidaeRove beetles – StaphylinidaeThe largest family of beetles in N. AmericaThe largest family of beetles in N. America


http://www.forestryimages.org/images/768x512/0013009.jpg

Curculio elephasCurculio elephas European Chestnut WeevilEuropean Chestnut Weevil

Weevils – CurculionidaeWeevils – CurculionidaeThe largest family of beetles (and probably animals) in the worldThe largest family of beetles (and probably animals) in the world

Second largest in North AmericaSecond largest in North America2,500 species2,500 species

Weevils can be pests (alfalfa weevil) or Weevils can be pests (alfalfa weevil) or beneficial (attacking invasive weeds)beneficial (attacking invasive weeds)

Hypera posticaHypera postica – Alfalfa weevil – Alfalfa weevil

Ground beetles - CarabidaeGround beetles - Carabidae

Calosoma scrutatorCalosoma scrutator

Caterpillar hunter

Third largest family in N. America – 1,700 speciesThird largest family in N. America – 1,700 species

Chlaenius sp.Chlaenius sp.

Vivid metallic ground beetleVivid metallic ground beetle


Bluemargined ground beetleBluemargined ground beetle

Pasimachus elongatus Pasimachus elongatus


Big sand tiger beetleBig sand tiger beetle

Tiger beetles - CicindelidaeTiger beetles - Cicindelidae

Cicindela formosaCicindela formosa

Cicindela willistoniCicindela willistoni


Tiger beetles and Ground beetles are active predatorsTiger beetles and Ground beetles are active predators

Cicindela sexguttataCicindela sexguttata

Six-spotted Green Tiger beetleSix-spotted Green Tiger beetle


Leaf beetles - ChrysomelidaeLeaf beetles - ChrysomelidaeFourth largest family in N. America – 1,500 speciesFourth largest family in N. America – 1,500 species

Leaf beetles - ChrysomelidaeLeaf beetles - ChrysomelidaeMany pests belong to this familyMany pests belong to this family

Colorado potato beetleColorado potato beetle

Leaf beetles - ChrysomelidaeLeaf beetles - Chrysomelidae

Potato flea beetlePotato flea beetle

Northern corn root wormNorthern corn root worm

Western corn root wormWestern corn root worm

Spotted cucumber beetleSpotted cucumber beetle

Phanaeus sp.Phanaeus sp.

Scarab beetles - ScarabaeidaeScarab beetles - ScarabaeidaeFifth largest family in N. America – 1,400 speciesFifth largest family in N. America – 1,400 species

Scarab beetles - ScarabaeidaeScarab beetles - Scarabaeidae

Canthon sp.Canthon sp. Dung beetlesDung beetles

Japanese Beetle (Popillia punctata)


Cotinis nitidaCotinis nitida


Green June beetleGreen June beetle

Larvae – “grubs”Larvae – “grubs”


Rhinoceros beetleRhinoceros beetle

00 8 in 8 in

Goliath beetle – the largest beetle in the worldGoliath beetle – the largest beetle in the world

Stag beetles – LucanidaeStag beetles – Lucanidae

Larvae develop for up to Larvae develop for up to 5 years in decaying wood5 years in decaying wood

Darkling beetles – TenebrionidaeDarkling beetles – TenebrionidaeSixth largest family of beetles in North AmericaSixth largest family of beetles in North America


Longhorned beetles - CerambycidaeLonghorned beetles - Cerambycidae

Plectrodera scalatorPlectrodera scalator

Cottonwood borerCottonwood borer

1,100 species in N. America1,100 species in N. America

Dryobius sexnotatusDryobius sexnotatus


Six-banded longhorned beetleSix-banded longhorned beetle

Small mulberry borerSmall mulberry borer


Dorcaschema alternatumDorcaschema alternatum

Longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae)Longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae)

Elm borerElm borer Elder borerElder borer

Larvae live in woodLarvae live in wood

Saperda tridentataSaperda tridentata Desmocerus palliatusDesmocerus palliatus

Click beetles - ElateridaeClick beetles - Elateridae

AdultAdult Larva – “Wireworm”Larva – “Wireworm”

800 species in N. America800 species in N. America

Metallic wood-boring beetlesMetallic wood-boring beetles- Buprestidae- Buprestidae


Metallic wood-boring beetles - BuprestidaeMetallic wood-boring beetles - Buprestidae

Metallic wood-boring beetles - BuprestidaeMetallic wood-boring beetles - Buprestidae

Bark beetles - ScolytidaeBark beetles - ScolytidaeAbout 500 species in N. AmericaAbout 500 species in N. America

Mountain pine beetleMountain pine beetleDendroctonus ponderosaeDendroctonus ponderosae

Bark beetles - ScolytidaeBark beetles - Scolytidae

Mountain pine beetle damageMountain pine beetle damage

Bark beetle damageBark beetle damage

Soldier beetles - CantharidaeSoldier beetles - CantharidaeAbout 500 species in N. AmericaAbout 500 species in N. America

Lady beetles - CoccinellidaeLady beetles - Coccinellidae

Coleomegilla maculataColeomegilla maculata

Pinkspotted lady beetlePinkspotted lady beetle



Pinkspotted lady beetle – efficient biocontrol agentPinkspotted lady beetle – efficient biocontrol agent


Lady beetle larva is a ferocious predatorLady beetle larva is a ferocious predator

Blister beetles - MeloidaeBlister beetles - Meloidae330 species in N. America330 species in N. America

http://www.pdis.org/ImageLibrary/ImageDetails.aspx?ID=18894

Blister beetles - MeloidaeBlister beetles - Meloidae PESTS or ALLIES?PESTS or ALLIES?

•Toxic to horses – may poison hayToxic to horses – may poison hay•Natural enemies of grasshoppersNatural enemies of grasshoppers

Carrion beetles - SilphidaeCarrion beetles - Silphidae

Burying beetlesBurying beetles

Nicrophorus spp. Nicrophorus spp.


Silpha americanaSilpha americana

Carrion beetles - SilphidaeCarrion beetles - Silphidae

American carrion beetle – endangered speciesAmerican carrion beetle – endangered species

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BEETLES