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Field and Swamp: Animals and Their Habitats

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Beetles (order Coleoptera, infraclass Neoptera, subclass Pterygota, class Insecta, subphylum Hexapoda, phylum Arthropoda, kingdom Animalia)

Beetles are the largest insect order; over 350,000 species of beetles have been documented. This means that over a third of all known animal species are beetle species. A very large proportion of them, in turn, are "leaf beetles," those in the Chrysomeloidea superfamily, and a very large proportion of those are in the Chrysomelidae family.

Beetles have "sheathed" wings: their forewings have become protective shells, called "elytra," for their membranous hind wings, which actually do the flying. This is only one of fourteen identifying characteristics of beetles, but one of the two earliest characteristics to appear: beetles have had elytra for the past 285 million years. Their hind wings, made of membrane and which are folded up under the elytra, are a later development (245 million years ago), at least for the 90% of beetle species in the suborder Polyphaga (Grimaldi & Engel, 2005, p. 361). Their hind wings are much bigger than their elytra forewings, sometimes sticking out from under these covers when flying beetles land. Do they have trouble folding up their big hind wings? Some Soldier Beetles do, apparently!

Beetles undergo complete metamorphosis, i.e., they experience a pupa stage during which their anatomical structure changes dramatically.

Unless stated otherwise, all taxonomic categories on this page were checked for validity against the contents of the Integrated Taxonomic Information System.

Ladybug Beetles (family Coccinellidae, superfamily Cucujoidea, infraorder Cucujiformia, suborder Polyphaga)

Almost all Ladybug Beetle species are carnivorous: all those that appear on this page are. However, it appears that they (as do many carnivorous species) also include flower nectar in their diets. Both Ladybug Beetle larvae and adults walk rapidly over the irregular surfaces where they are most often found; they are often seen charging up one side of a grass blade and down the other. They often, though not always, find their way to any aphids in the general area, and process them relatively slowly.

This shows different species of ladybugs that appeared in my part of the country (north-central North Carolina). The Multi-colored Asian Ladybug Beetle is very common and, as its English name suggests, shows a great deal of intra-species variation, not simply in color but in size of spots.

Multi-colored Asian Ladybug Beetles (Harmonia axyridis, subfamily Coccinellinae)

These beetles show a lot of variety in both color and spot patterns.


Mating Asian Multi-colored Ladybug Beetles, American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 7/26/09	Asian Multi-colored Ladybug Beetle, Durham, NC, 4/2/08.	Durham, 5/3/05. Female Multi-colored Asian Ladybug (19-spot) Beetle (Harmonia axyridis). Unlike native ladybugs, they try to enter houses and become pests in the process.	Female Multi-colored Asian Ladybug Beetle, Durham, 9/9/05.	Yet another male Multi-colored Asian Ladybug Beetle, Durham, 7/5/05


Female Multi-colored Asian Ladybug Beetle, Durham, 7/13/06.	Durham, 11/4/05. This female Multi-colored Asian ladybug quickly freed itself from this spider web by somehow causing the strand it was on to lengthen and weaken.	Female Asian Multi-colored Ladybug Beetle, with what's apparently a small insect on top. Durham, 6/21/08	Male Asian Multi-colored Ladybug Beetle. No spots at all!	Female Multi-colored Asian Ladybug Beetle, Southern Village, Orange County, NC, 11/13/07. The spots have just started to come out on this recent metamorph.

Multi-colored Asian Ladybug Beetle (Harmonia axyridis) larvae


Multi-colored Asian Ladybug Beetle (Harmonia axyridis) larva, Durham, 6/14/05. This larva showed up on my deck. Pretty big legs!	Same Multi-colored Asian Ladybug Beetle larva	Asian Multi-colored Ladybug Beetle larva apparently about to become a pupa. Haw River State Park, Guilford & Rockingham Counties, NC, 5/30/08	Multi-colored Asian Ladybug Beetle larva, Eno River State Park, Old Cole Mill Rd. access, Orange County, NC, 6/15/06

Multi-colored Asian Ladybug Beetle (Harmonia axyridis) pupae


Asian Multi-colored Ladybug Beetle, Durham, 6/29/06 (note spiny discarded larval skin at the bottom)	Probably Asian Multi-colored Ladybug Beetle pupa. Again, note spiny larval skin).

Seven-spotted Ladybug Beetle (Coccinella septempunctata, subfamily Coccinellinae)


Seven-spotted Ladybug Beetle (Coccinella septempunctata), Durham, 5/7/08	Seven-spotted Ladybug Beetle (Coccinella septempunctata), Durham, 4/27/07.	Seven-spotted Ladybug Beetle (Coccinella septempunctata), Durham, 9/12/05. ID according to Charles Schurch Lewallen at Bugguide.net.


Seven-spotted Ladybug Beetle (Coccinella septempunctata) larva, Durham (edge of marsh at neighborhood swamp), 4/11/09. This plump but nimble little rascal climbed rapidly over grass plants and other objects, readily bending in two.	Seven -spotted Ladybug Beetle larva, Duke Gardens, 3/28/07. This larva, much skinnier than the one on the left, appeared on the steps at the central terrace.


Seven-spotted Ladybug Beetle pupa, Durham, NC, 5/1/08. Note the relatively smooth cast-off larval skin on the right. An adult Seven-spotted Ladybug Beetle was nearby.	Ladybug beetle pupa, Mason Farm Biological Reserve (area north of the creek), 4/28/07. Since there were 10+ Seven-spotted Ladybug Beetle adults in the immediate area, it seemed likely that this was one, too.	Seven-spotted Ladybug Beetle, in mid-metamorphosis between the larva and pupa states. Note that the legs are holding this insect to a grass stalk. Durham, NC, 4/26/09

Spotted Ladybug Beetle (Coleomegilla maculata, subfamily Coccinellinae)


Spotted Ladybug Beetle (Coleomegilla maculata) mating pair, Durham (neighborhood marsh), 6/18/05. This is the most abundant species by far in this marsh.	Spotted Ladybug Beetle (Coleomegilla maculata) mating pair, Durham, NC, 6/17/06, in my neighborhood marsh/swamp.	Spotted Ladybug Beetle (Coleomegilla maculata) larva, Durham, 6/23/05, seen on a cattail leaf at the same marsh as the adult Coleomegilla maculata beetles above. ID based on Marshall (2006), p. 345.

Ladybug Beetle (Coleomegilla maculata, most likely) Pupae

The sequence in the first row (ordered photos of different pupae, taken on one or two leaves of the same tree) illustrates the changes Ladybug Beetle pupae of one species go through. On the left is a new pupa, with the long, thin shape of a larva and some larva parts still showing. Later on, as the pupa matures, it takes on the round adult shape and the old larval body parts outside the pupa's shell disappear.

All of the pupae in the first row showed close to a swamp in my neighborhood. Although their species is unknown, they are almost certainly not Multi-colored Asian Ladybug Beetles. To judge from the species of the Ladybug Beetles seen in this vicinity, I would say they are most likely Coleomegilla maculata pupae.


Two views of a larva becoming a pupa, Durham, NC, 7/5/05.		Pupa, Durham, 8/6/05	Pupa, Durham, 7/15/05. See the leg sticking out the right side.	Pupa, Durham, 6/18/05. I found this sitting on a leaf. This was about a third of an inch long.

Cycloneda genus, subfamily Coccinellinae


Ladybug Beetle (Cycloneda munda), Duke Forest, Korstian Division, Orange County, NC, 5/3/06. Thanks to Eric Eaton for genus ID.	Ladybug beetle, Cycloneda munda, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/4/08

Convergent Ladybug Beetle (Hippodamia convergens, subfamily Coccinellinae)


Convergent Ladybug Beetle (Hippodamia convergens), Durham, NC, 9/13/08. Found in a power line cut.

Psyllobora vigintamaculata (22-spotted Ladybug Beetle), maybe (if so, Coccinellinae subfamily)

Possibly Psyllabora vigintamaculata, Little Scaly Mountain, Macon County, NC, 8/9/05. ID based on Marshall (2006), p. 349. This beetle showed up at an altitude of about 4100 feet in far southwestern North Carolina.

Chilocorus genus, Chilocorinae subfamily


Twice-stabbed Ladybug Beetle (Chilocorus stigma), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 5/19/08. Alas, a rear view of this tiny (2 mm) beetle.

Pleasing Fungus Beetles (family Erotylidae, superfamily Cucujoidea, infraorder Cucujiformia, suborder Polyphaga)


Ischyrus quadripunctatus, a type of pleasing fungus beetle (Erotylidae family)

Snout Beetles (family Curculionidae, superfamily Curculionoidea, infraorder Cucujiformia, suborder Polyphaga)

There are about 50,000 species of curculionid snout beetles, also called weevils. They are surprisingly easy to find, especially in brushy power line cuts. If most species weren't so tiny, we'd probably be swimming in them -- at least if it weren't for Ambush Bugs, which lie in wait on flowering plants in brushy areas! Nevertheless, there are some notable exceptions to the size rule: some weevils are almost an inch long.


Broad-nosed Weevil (Naupactus genus), Greenville, Pitt County, NC, 9/20/08. ID thanks to Eric E. Eaton.	Another view of the distinctive schnoz on the Broad-nosed Weevil on the left!	Broad-nosed Weevils, possibly Asian Oak Weevils (Cyrtepistomus castaneus) Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 8/31/07


Weevil, Durham, 6/16/05. Found on a swamp plant. About ⅛ inch long.	Weevil, about 3 mm long, Durham, NC, 6/27/09. Seen in local marsh.


Weevil, Durham, NC, 6/17/08	Weevil, also on Daisy Fleabane, Durham, NC, 6/8/09	Mating weevils, Penny's Bend, Durham County, NC, 6/4/06


Billbug (probably genus Sphenophorus), North Charleston, Charleston County, SC, 3/28/06. It was much larger than the weevils above, about ¾ inch long. ID thanks to Eric Eaton.	Billbug (Splenophorus venatus), Durham, NC, 5/6/09	Weevil (Lixus genus), Durham, NC, 9/7/08	A very big weevil, Lixus genus, Lixinae subfamily, Durham, NC, 5/25/06. It was about an inch long. It showed up near a mini-swamp next to a power line cut. Thanks to Eric Eaton for ID.


Cocklebur Weevil (Rhodobaenus quinquepunctatus), Durham, 7/8/08

Primitive or Straight-snouted Weevils (family Brentidae, superfamily Curculionoidea, infraorder Cucujiformia, suborder Polyphaga)


Tiny weevil (about 2 mm long), North Carolina Museum of Art outdoor trail, Wake County, NC, 5/8/07.	Oak Timberworm(Arrhenodes minutus), a type of straight-snouted weevil . It was about 18 mm long. ID thanks to John and Jane Balaban. See more information at the Forest Pests Oak Timberworm Page.

Fungus Weevils (family Anthribidae, superfamily Curculionoidea, infraorder Cucujiformia, suborder Polyphaga)


Euparius marmoreus, Falls Lake SP, Wake County, NC, 3/1/06. This beetle appeared near the end of a pier.	Touching the beetle caused it to play dead briefly, after which it righted itself after some leg-wiggling.	This shows the characteristic back pattern of the Euparius marmoreus.

Checkered Beetles (family Cleridae, superfamily Cleroidea, infraorder Cucujiformia, suborder Polyphaga)


Checkered beetle (Enoclerus ichneumoneus), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 4/4/09. ID thanks to John and Jane Balaban.

Soft-winged Flower Beetles (family Melyridae, superfamily Cleroidea, infraorder Cucujiformia, suborder Polyphaga)


Soft-winged flower beetle (Collops genus), Durham, NC, 7/15/09	Soft-winged flower beetle (Collops genus). Seen in neighborhood marsh. Durham, NC, 8/23/08	Tiny beetle (Hypebaeus genus, Melyridae family). Eno River State Park, Old Cole Mill Road access, 4/24/09

Leaf Beetles (family Chrysomelidae, superfamily Chrysomeloidea, infraorder Cucujiformia, suborder Polyphaga)

Some Leaf Beetles, such as the Colorado Potato Beetles, were major crop pests because they were imported from outside North America while their natural predators were left behind. Leaf Beetles in general are far less common than they used to be as a result of insecticide use. However, they are still found munching on a variety of weeds and marsh vegetation in my neighborhood and at least a few other places.

Tribe assignments for Tortoise Beetles are taken from the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University web page. Most of the subfamily IDs are based on University of Minnesota's Insects of Cedar Creek.

Tortoise Beetles (Subfamily Cassidinae)

There is some controversy about whether this subfamily should stand alone or be a part of the Leaf-mining Beetle subfamily Hispinae.


Golden Tortoise Beetle (Charidotella bicolor), Durham, NC, 7/1/07. These are photos of the same beetle, taken in different lighting. The "shell" is transparent on the left and reflective on the right.		Golden Tortoise Beetle, Durham, NC 9/10/06. Here the "shell" is transparent.	Golden Tortoise Beetle(Chariodotella bicolor, tribe Cassidini, sub-family Cassidinae), Duke Gardens, 7/24/05. It was about ¼ inch long. Thanks to Rob Westerduijn, Iquitos, Peru for genus and species names. Thanks to Jeff Pippen for the subfamily ID ID.


Clavate Tortoise Beetle (Plagiometriona clavata) larva, Durham, NC, 7/6/07. This insect was about 3 mm long. ID thanks to Donald S. Chandler.

Argus Tortoise Beetle (Chelymorpha cassidea, tribe Stolaini, subfamily Cassidinae ), north shore of Ocracoke Island, 5/15/05. This beetle was about half an inch long. Not sure of this ID.

Leaf-mining Leaf Beetles (Subfamily Hispinae)

Locust Leafminer (Odontota dorsalis, subfamily Hispinae), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/29/05. The taxon "Hispinae" is valid according to the ITIS, which lists no genera under it as of 4/3/06.

Subfamily Eumolpinae


Dogbane Beetle (Chrysochus auratus), Occoneechee Mountain, Orange County, NC It was about ½ inch long. These beetles only eat milkweed and dogbane, so they are not pests.	Mating Dogbane Beetles, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 7/9/06


Leaf beetle (Paria quadrinotata), Durham, NC, 4/14/09	Leaf beetle (Paria quadrinotata), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 5/11/07.	Might be a Grape Rootworm beetle, Durham, NC, 6/30/08. There were a lot of Wild Grape vines in the general area.

Skeletonizing Leaf Beetles (Subfamily Galerucinae)

Flea Beetles (Disonycha genus, Alticini tribe)


Chrysomelid beetle, possibly a Flea Beetle (Disonycha genus, Alticini tribe), Durham, NC, 4/19/06. This beetle was visiting a dandelion.	Flea beetle, Durham, NC, 7/6/07. A very tiny beetle.	Flea Beetle (Disonycha fumata, Alticini tribe), Durham, 7/5/05. This one was about ¼ inch long.


Flea beetle, (Kuschelina scripticollis, subfamily Galerucinae), White Pines Nature Preserve, Chatham County, NC, 4/16/06. The only individual I have seen of this species. Thanks to Eric Eaton and Mike Quinn at BugGuide for genus, species names.	Flea Beetle (Altica genus), about 2 mm long. Thanks to Rob Westerduijn for ID.	Flea beetle (Strabala rufa), Durham, 7/15/05.	Flea beetle (Capraita sexmaculata, Alticini tribe, Galerucinae subfamily, Chrysomelidae family). A kind of leaf beetle.


Flea beetles (Trirhabda bacharidis), Durham, NC, 6/22/07. Genus ID thanks to Rob Westerduijn.	Flea beetle larva (Trirhabda bacharidis), North Charleston, SC, 3/28/06

Spotted Cucumber Beetles (Diabrotica undecimpunctata, Luperini tribe)


This illustrates some interesting similarities. A Spotted Cucumber Beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata, subfamily Galerucinae), at right, shared flower nectar with a (mainly carnivorous) ladybug beetle (Coleomegilla maculata) on 7/2/05.	Spotted Cucumber Beetle, Durham, NC, 7/29/07	Spotted Cucumber Beetle, Durham, NC, 7/15/09

Ophraella genus, Galerucini tribe


Beetle, genus Ophraella, Durham, NC, 9/22/07

Broad-bodied Leaf Beetles (Subfamily Chrysomelinae)


Burdock Beetle or False Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa juncta). I found this beetle munching on a leaf of one of my least favorite weeds (Horse Nettle). Durham, 9/27/05. Thanks to Eric Eaton for ID.	Burdock Beetle. Same beetle, playing dead. Close to looking like a Colorado Potato Beetle, but no cigar: the broad black stripe and the thorax markings set it apart. It is not a crop pest.	Zygogramma suturalis, Durham, 10/31/05. Thanks to Rob Westerduijn for ID.	Swamp Milkweed Leaf Beetle (Labidomera clivicollis), Eno River State Park, Orange County, NC, 10/9/06


Mating Yellow-margined Leaf Beetles (Microtheca ochroloma, subfamily Chrysomelinae), Durham, NC, 5/8/08	Yellow-margined Leaf Beetle (Microtheca ochroloma), Durham, NC, 9/23/09. Seen on a blade of grass near a marsh after a heavy rain.	Chrysomelinid leaf beetle, maybe Chrysolina genus, Durham, NC, 6/16/08. About 1 or 2 mm long.	Leaf beetle (Prasocuris phellandri, tribe Chrysolmelini), about 2 mm

Case-bearers, i.e., Cylindrical Leaf Beetles, Warty Leaf Beetles and Short-horned Leaf Beetles (Subfamily Cryptocephalinae)

They are called "cryptocephalid" because of the "hidden" orientation of their heads. Females cover their eggs with their feces, which become a "case" that the growing larva builds on.


Warty Leaf Beetle (Neochlamisus gibbosus, Chlamisini tribe, Cryptocephalinae subfamily), Durham, NC, 5/10/08. Although most insects (and some treefrogs) seem to mimic dead leaves, this beetle is typically confused with caterpillar droppings, but only when it tucks its legs under it and lies motionless!	Warty Leaf Beetle, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/4/08. You can see that there is some variation in the shape and color with this species.	Cylindrical Leaf beetle (Babia quadriguttata, tribe Clytrini), Durham, 6/2/06.	Clay-colored Leaf Beetle(Anomoea laticlavia, tribe Clytrini), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 6/15/07. Family ID thanks to Jim McClarin.	Leaf beetle (Cryptocephalus quadruplex, subfamily Cryptocephalinae)


Cryptocephalid Beetle (Cryptocephalinae subfamily), Duke Gardens, 7/24/05. This beetle was about one inch long and showed up at the far end of the Asian garden.	Probably another Clay-colored Leaf Beetle, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06


Case-bearer beetle larva, Penny's Bend, Durham County, NC, 6/4/06. This is an example of the fecal "case" that gives this subfamily its name.	Case-bearer beetle larva, Eno River State Park, Orange County, NC 8/5/06	Case-bearer beetle larva, Durham, NC, 6/20/05.	Case-bearer beetle larva, Durham, NC, 6/17/07. You can just barely see the little legs near the bottom.	Casebearer beetle larva, Jordan Lake Gameland, Chatham County, NC, 6/19/07. You can see the little legs at the bottom.

Shining Leaf Beetles (Criocerinae subfamily)

These have no relation to the Shining Leaf Chafers of the Scarabaeidae family. These are less than ¼ inch long.


Female shining leaf beetle (Neolema sexpunctata), Durham, 5/6/09	Male shining leaf beetle (Neolema sexpunctata), Durham, NC, 7/1/07	Shining leaf beetle, possibly an Oulema cornutus

Long-horned Beetles (family Cerambycidae, superfamily Chrysomeloidea, infraorder Cucujiformia, suborder Polyphaga)

Lepturinae subfamily


Zebra Flower Longhorn Beetle (Typocerus zebra), Durham, NC, 5/7/08	Zebra Flower Longhorn Beetle, Haw River State Park, Guilford & Rockingham Counties, NC, 5/31/08	Flower Longhorn Beetle (Typocerus genus, subfamily Lepturinae), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 7/15/06	Flower Longhorn Beetle (Typocerus velutinus, subfamily Lepturinae), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 7/15/06


	Flower Longhorn Beetle (Strangalia sexnotata, subfamily Lepturinae), Durham, NC, 9/8/06	Flower Longhorn Beetle (Strangalepta abbreviata), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, 6/4/08	Longhorn Beetle (maybe Evodinus monticola), Hanging Rock State Park, Stokes County, NC, 6/18/09. Top black spots may have been rubbed off.

Cerambycinae subfamily


Locust Borer (Megacyllene robiniae, subfamily Cerambycinae), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/29/05. The Cerambycinae taxon is valid according to the ITIS. Species name taken from University of Minnesota's Insects of Cedar Creek.	Locust Borer, Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/7/06


Parelaphidion aspersum, Durham, NC, 5/22/09. ID thanks to v. belov, with confirmation from Michael Thomas.


Longhorn beetle (Ancylocera bicolor, subfamily Cerambycinae), Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh, NC, 6/9/06. ID thanks to Sean McCann.


Long-horned beetle (Euderces pini, Tillomorphini tribe, Cerambycinae subfamily), Eno River State Park, Old Cole Mill Road access, 4/4/07


Longhorn beetle (Phymatodes amoenus)

Lamiinae subfamily


Flat-faced Longhorned Beetle (Aegomorphus quadrigibbus, subfamily Lamiinae), Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, 7/30/05. ID thanks to Eric Eaton and Dr. Doug Yanega of the University of California at Riverside.	Same Flat-faced Longhorn Beetle.	Flat-faced Long-horned Beetle (Aegomorphus genus, subfamily Lamiinae), Durham, 7/1/06	Sumac Stem Borer (Oberea ocellata, subfamily Lamiinae), White Pines Nature Preserve, Chatham County, NC, 4/16/06. Eric Eaton ID'd this one too. Confirmed by S.A. Marshall (2006).


Flat-faced longhorn beetle (Hemierana marginata argens, Hemilophini tribe, Lamiinae subfamily). ID thanks to Mike Thomas.

Prioninae subfamily

Brown Prionid (Orthosoma brunneum, Prionini tribe), Durham, NC, 7/7/08. This beetle looked brown to me. This photo taken at night, and use of the flash showed that the beetle's body surface reflects red light, perhaps just as male Mallards' head feathers reflect green light. I wonder if this is part of the beetle's strategy to deflect infrared light, since its large body is otherwise vulnerable to overheating in this hot weather.

Tumbling Flower Beetles (family Mordellidae, superfamily Tenebrionoidea, infraorder Cucujiformia, suborder Polyphaga)


Tumbling flower beetle (Hoshihananomia octopunctata). These photos illustrate the odd head shape (flat on the bottom) and how that head moves. This beetle was about 5 mm long.		Tumbling flower beetle (Mordellistena genus), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/24/09	Tumbling flower beetle, Durham, NC, 5/27/08, about 2 mm long

Wedge-shaped Beetles (family Ripiphoridae, superfamily Tenebrionoidea, infraorder Cucujiformia, suborder Polyphaga)


Macrosiagon cruenta, Penny's Bend, 6/4/06. Family ID thanks to Jim McClarin.	Macrosiagon cruenta, same place and time


A very tiny beetle, found on flower at Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh, NC, 6/9/06. Family ID thanks to Jim McClarin.	Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/9/07.

Blister Beetles (family Meloidae, superfamily Tenebrionoidea, infraorder Cucujiformia, suborder Polyphaga)


Margined Blister Beetle (Epicauta pestifera), Occoneechee Mountain, Orange County, NC, 8/12/06. ID thanks to Lynette Schimming.	Margined Blister Beetle, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 9/1/07	Blister beetle (Nemognatha genus, species probably piazata), Fort Fisher, New Hanover County, NC, 6/22/06. ID thanks to Stanislav Krejcik. Confirmed by BugGuide.	Blister Beetle (Lytta aenea, tribe Lyttini, subfamily Meloinae), Durham, NC, 4/23/08	Black Blister Beetle (Epicauta pennsylvanica), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, 8/31/08

Darkling Beetles (family Tenebrionidae, superfamily Tenebrionoidea, infraorder Cucjiformia, suborder Polyphaga)


Long-jointed Beetle (Arthromacra aenea, subfamily Lagriinae), a darkling beetle. The park was full of these beetles.

Carpet Beetles (family Dermestidae, superfamily Bostrichoidea, infraorder Bostrichiformia, suborder Polyphaga)


Varied Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus verbasci, tribe Anthrenini, subfamily Anthreninae), 1 or 2 mm long. ID thanks to John R. Maxwell.

Passalid Beetles (family Passalidae, superfamily Scarabaeoidea, infraorder Scarabeiformia, suborder Polyphaga)

Adult beetles live under rotting logs and chew up the wood so their offspring can eat it.


Bess Beetle (Papilius disjunctus?), Eno River State Park, Fews Ford access, 12/31/05. This beetle was grinding up rotten log material with its mandibles. The Papilius taxon is valid according to the ITIS. Species name given by Encyclopedia Britannica.	Horned Passalus Beetle (Odontotaenius disjunctus), Durham, NC, 7/20/07. Taken at night.

Scarab Beetles (family Scarabaeidae, superfamily Scarabaeoidea, infraorder Scarabeiformia, suborder Polyphaga)

These beetles perform an essential clean-up function: the adults move the feces of other animals underground, where they store it as food for themselves and their offspring.

Currently for this family, the ITIS does not list any taxa below subfamily for any species assigned to a subfamily. However, the relevant genus and species names are in common use.

Tumblebugs (subfamily Scarabaeinae)


Tumblebug (Canthon imitator), pushing a clump of dung along with its hind legs at Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, 5/29/05.	Scarab beetle (Onthophagus hecate hecate) , Durham, NC, 8/13/07. The pronotal horn is distinctive. ID thanks to Will Merritt.

Shining Leaf Chafers (subfamily Rutelinae)

Researchers at the U. of Nebraska at Lincoln are doing phylogenetic research on the genera of the Rutelinae subfamily.


Grapevine Beetle (Pelidnota punctata, tribe Rutelini, subfamily Rutelinae), Durham, 7/20/07.	Goldsmith Beetle (Cotalpa lanigera, Rutelinae subfamily), Durham, 6/29/05. A Shining Leaf Chafer beetle. Its genus may be changed in the future.	Rose Chafer Beetle (Macrodactylus subspinosus), Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06	An unidentified member of the Shining Leaf Chafer subfamily, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/16/07	Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica), Durham, NC, 7/1/07

May/June Beetles (subfamily Melolonthinae)

These common names are used rather loosely, probably depending on what time of year these beetles show up in a particular part of the country.


May Beetle or June Beetle (Phyllophaga genus, Melolonthinae subfamily), depending on where you live in the US, Durham, NC, 5/25/08. This beetle briefly struggled to get its bearing after a mishap and flew off shortly afterwards.	Scarab Beetle (Hoplia trivialis), Durham, 7/13/06	Scarab beetle (maybe Hoplia trivialis), Occoneechee Mountain, Orange County, NC, 3/13/06. On this day a group of them appeared on the road to the summit of this mountain, and several landed on my hat.

Flower Scarabs (subfamily Trichiinae)

This subfamily seems to be controversial.


Channeled Valgus (Valgus canaliculatus). Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, 6/23/05. This beetle seems to have an injured leg. ID thanks to Jim McClarin.	Channeled Valgus (Valgus canaliculatus), Durham, NC, 6/8/09

Bumble Flower Beetles (subfamily Cetoniinae)


Bumble Flower Beetle (Euphoria inda, tribe Cetoniini), Durham, 4/15/05.	Bumble Flower Beetle (Euphoria inda), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 4/4/09	Scarab beetle, Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 6/15/07. May be a Dark Flower Scarab (Euphoria sepulchralis).


Delta Flower Beetle(Trigonopeltastes delta), Occoneechee Mountain Natural Area, Orange County, NC, 6/13/09	Delta Flower Beetle, Durham, NC, 7/8/08


Green June Beetle (Cotinis nitida), UNC at Chapel Hill, NC, 7/24/09	Green June Beetle (Cotinis nitida) in flight, Durham, NC, 7/10/08	Green June Beetle, Durham, NC, 6/19/09

Mystery Scarab Beetles (family Scarabaeidae)

Scarab beetle, Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 5/13/07

Scarab Beetle Larvae (also called grubs)


Durham, 11/29/05. This grub drowned during a heavy rain.	Durham, 1/9/06. A small grub apparently hibernating.

Metallic Wood-boring Beetles (family Buprestidae, superfamily Buprestoidea, infraorder Elateriformia, suborder Polyphaga)


Flat-headed Pine Heartwood Borer (Chalcophora virginiensis), Durham, NC, 4/25/06. A fairly large beetle, almost two inches long.	Buprestid Beetle (Chrysobothris genus), Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, Orange County, NC, 6/23/05. ID help thanks: Eric Eaton and Doug Yanega.	Buprestid Beetle (Acmaeodera tubulus), Durham, 6/2/06. This was a very tiny beetle, looking like a speck without the camera. Thanks to Adalbert Goertz for genus and family ID. Confirmed by Marshall (2006), p. 326).	Probably a Buprestid beetle, North Carolina Museum of Art outdoor trail, Raleigh, Wake County, NC, 5/8/07. It was about 15 mm long.


Red-necked Cane Borer (Agrilus ruficollis), about 5 mm long. Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 5/1/09	Buprestid beetle, Durham, NC, 6/6/09

Glowworm Beetles (family Phengodidae, superfamily Elateroidea, infraorder Elateriformia, suborder Polyphaga)


Glowworm Beetle (Phengodes plumosa, Phengodinae subfamily), Durham, NC, 5/11/07	Glowworm beetle, Haw River State Park, Guilford & Rockingham Counties, NC, 5/31/08

Lightning Bug Beetles (family Lampyridae, superfamily Elateroidea, infraorder Elateriformia, suborder Polyphaga)


Lightning bug beetle, with deformed wings, Haw River State Park, Guilford & Rockingham Counties, NC, 5/30/08	Lightning bug beetle, Johnston Mill, Orange County, NC, 7/1/06


Lightning bug beetle (Photuris pennsylvanica), Durham, NC, 7/24/09. Photo taken at night.

Click Beetles (family Elateridae, superfamily Elateroidea, infraorder Elateriformia, suborder Polyphaga)


Eyed Click Beetle, (Alaus oculatus), Durham, 5/18/06	Eyed Click Beetle, Haw River State Park, Guilford & Rockingham Counties, NC, 5/30/08	Eyed Click Beetle preparing for takeoff at no River State Park, Old Cole Mill Road access, Durham County, NC, 5/19/06


Click beetle (Dalopius genus), Durham, NC, 70108. Photo taken at night.	Click beetle (maybe Ampedus nigricollis, Elaterinae subfamily), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 5/6/08. ITIS does not recognize this genus, although CalPhotos uses it.	Click beetle (Agriotes genus), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/16/07	Elaterid beetle (Horistonotus curiatus, Cardiophorinae subfamily), Durham, NC, 5/24/09. About 3 mm long.


Click beetle larva, Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 8/31/08

Net-winged Beetles (family Lycidae, superfamily Elateroidea, infraorder Elateriformia, suborder Polyphaga)


There are four net-winged beetles (Calopteron reticulatum) here. It's possible that it's a mating couple and two interlopers, but I wouldn't put down money on it! Durham, NC, 7/1/08	Net-winged beetle (Calopteron reticulatum), about 1 inch long	Golden Net-winged Beetle (Dictyopterus aurora), American Tobacco Trail (Mile 5), Durham, NC, 2/26/09	Net-winged Beetle, (most likely Eros humeralis) Durham, NC, 4/27/07. This beetle showed up about a city block from the swamp.	Net-winged Beetle (Eros humeralis), Eno River State Park, Old Cole Mill Road access, Orange County, NC, 5/10/07. ID thanks to Tim R. Moyer.	Net-winged Beetle (Plateros genus), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/9/07

Soldier Beetles (family Cantharidae, superfamily Elateroidea, infraorder Elateriformia, suborder Polyphaga)

Chauliognathinae subfamily


Margined Leather-wing (Chauliognathus marginatus). Wing maintenance, Durham swamp, 7/2/05. Notice the leg over the wing.	Sometime later.


Margined Leatherwing, Durham, 6/14/05.	Margined Leatherwing, NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 8/28/06


Possibly Margined Leatherwings (Chauliognathus marginatus). Mating pair, 8/28/05, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC.


Two-lined Leatherwing Beetle (Atalantycha bilineata), Durham, NC, 4/17/09	Two-lined Leatherwing Beetle (Atalantycha bilineata), Durham, NC, 3/18/09


Firefly beetle mimic (Podabrus tricostatus maybe), Eno River SP, Orange County, NC, 4/2/06. Family ID thanks to Doug Yanega.	Firefly beetle mimic(Podabrus tricostatus maybe), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/16/07. Family ID thanks to Doug Yanega.

Podabrocephalid Beetles (family Podabrocephalidae, superfamily Elateroidea, infraorder Elateriformia, suborder Polyphaga)

Generally, the beetle genus Podabrus is classified in the Cantharidae family by environmental science workers, but professional taxonomists disagree, probably because its head and thorax structure differs greatly from that of typical Elateroideans. This controversy is reflected on the Tree of Life Elateroidea Page and the ITIS Elateriformia Page.


Podabrus rugosulus, Durham, NC, 5/18/09. This genus and species name is generally accepted by those working in the field.

Carrion Beetles (family Silphidae, superfamily Staphylinoidea, infraorder Staphyliniformia, suborder Polyphaga)


Carrion beetle larva, Durham, NC, 5/24/09

Rove Beetles (family Staphylinidae, superfamily Staphylinoidea, infraorder Staphyliniformia, suborder Polyphaga)


Rove Beetle, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 5/11/07	Rove beetle, Jordan Lake Gameland, Chatham County, NC, 6/19/07. The foreshortened abdomen was raised in the air.

Water Scavenger Beetles (family Hydrophilidae, superfamily Hydrophiloidea, infraorder Staphyliniformia, suborder Polyphaga)

Adults are herbivorous, the larvae carnivorous. They have to come to the surface to get air.


Water Scavenger Beetle (Hydrophilus triangularis), Durham, 6/19/06. This beetle was underwater at the time.	Same Water Scavenger Beetle.

Tiger Beetles (subfamily Cicindelinae, family Carabidae, suborder Adephaga)

Cicindela gratiosa

Whitish tiger beetle (Cicindela gratiosa), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 6/23/06. Although these beetles were numerous that day in the heart of CBSP, I'd never seen them there (or anywhere else) before. They have been sighted in just a few counties in southern North Carolina. ID thanks to Patrick Coin of Durham, NC.

Six-spotted Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela sexguttata)


Six-spotted Green Tiger Beetle, Durham, 3/31/07	Six-spotted Green Tiger Beetle without any spots. I also saw several others just like it at I'on Swamp, Francis Marion National Forest, Charleston County, SC, 3/29/06.	Six-spotted Green Tiger Beetle with eight spots. Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, 4/13/06.	Six-spotted Green Tiger Beetle with eight spots, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, 4/14/06

Common Shore Tiger Beetles (Cicindela repanda)


Common Shore Tiger Beetles (Cicindela repanda) Indian Creek trail, Chatham County, NC. These beetles resembled houseflies at a distance because of their size and movements. ID provided by Josh Rose.	Common Shore Tiger Beetle, Lake Jordan shore, Chatham County, NC, 10/16/05	Common Shore Tiger Beetle, Occoneechee Mountain Natural Area, Orange County, NC, 3/25/07

One-spotted Tiger Beetle (Cicindela unipunctata)


One-spotted Tiger Beetle (Cicindela unipunctata), Eno River State Park, Fews Ford Access, top of Cox Mountain, Orange County, NC, 5/27/06. ID according to Bugguide's C. unipunctata page.	One-spotted Tiger Beetle (Cicindela unipunctata), Haw River State Park, Guilford & Rockingham Counties, NC, 5/31/08

No common name (Cicindela marginata)

Mating tiger beetles (Cicindela marginata), Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area, Carteret County, NC, 7/23/08

Eastern Beach Tiger Beetles (Cicindela dorsalis)


Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle, Fort Macon State Park, Carteret County, NC, 7/22/08

Ground Beetles (family Carabidae, suborder Adephaga)


Ground Beetle (Amara aulica, subfamily Harpalinae), Durham, 4/3/09. About ½ inch long.	Ground beetle (Leptotrachelus dorsalis, Ctenodactylini tribe, Harpalinae subfamily). Thanks to v. belov for genus ID and Peter Messer for species ID	Colorful foliage ground beetle (Lebia vittata, tribe Lebiini, subfamily Harpalinae). Genus ID thanks to Eric R. Eaton. Species ID thanks to Skip Blanchard.	Genus Amara, tribe Zabrini, subfamily Harpalinae, Durham, NC, 4/9/08

Whirligig Beetles (family Gyrinidae, suborder Adephaga)

I get the general impression from my reading that Dineutus is the only Gyrinidae genus this big found in the continental US.


Whirligig Beetle, Haw River State Park, Guilford & Rockingham Counties, NC, 5/31/08	Whirligig Beetle, Jordan Lake, Chatham County, NC, 3/25/07. There were about a hundred such beetles in a group on the lake near the shore.

Mystery Beetles

From time to time beetles present ID problems and photos are shown here. See if you can figure out what kinds of beetles these are. If you know the answer, contact us.

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