The most diverse group of organisms on Earth – over 300,000 species
Total 1,392,485 # of described species of organisms on Earth
# of insect species in N. America: ca. 90,000 # of beetle species: ca. 30,000 # of families: 111
mandibles antennae elytra (hard fore wings) membraneous hind wings abdomen Beetle structure
Rove beetles – Staphylinidae The largest family of beetles in N. America 3,100 species
Curculio elephas European Chestnut Weevil Weevils – Curculionidae The largest family of beetles (and probably animals) in the world Second largest in North America 2,500 species
Weevils can be pests (alfalfa weevil) or beneficial (attacking invasive weeds) Hypera postica – Alfalfa weevil
Ground beetles - Carabidae Calosoma scrutator Caterpillar hunter Third largest family in N. America – 1,700 species
Chlaenius sp. Vivid metallic ground beetle Ground beetles - Carabidae
Bluemargined ground beetle Pasimachus elongatus Ground beetles - Carabidae
Big sand tiger beetle Tiger beetles - Cicindelidae Cicindela formosa
Cicindela willistoni Tiger beetles - Cicindelidae Tiger beetles and Ground beetles are active predators
Cicindela sexguttata Six-spotted Green Tiger beetle Tiger beetles - Cicindelidae
Leaf beetles - Chrysomelidae Fourth largest family in N. America – 1,500 species
Leaf beetles - Chrysomelidae Many pests belong to this family Colorado potato beetle
Leaf beetles - Chrysomelidae Potato flea beetle Northern corn root worm Western corn root worm Spotted cucumber beetle
Phanaeus sp. Scarab beetles - Scarabaeidae Fifth largest family in N. America – 1,400 species
Scarab beetles - Scarabaeidae Canthon sp. Dung beetles
Japanese Beetle (Popillia punctata) Scarab beetles - Scarabaeidae
Cotinis nitida Scarab beetles - Scarabaeidae Green June beetle Larvae – “grubs”
Scarab beetles - Scarabaeidae Rhinoceros beetle
0 8 in Goliath beetle – the largest beetle in the world
Stag beetles – Lucanidae Larvae develop for up to 5 years in decaying wood
Darkling beetles – Tenebrionidae Sixth largest family of beetles in North America 1,300 species
Longhorned beetles - Cerambycidae Plectrodera scalator Cottonwood borer 1,100 species in N. America
Dryobius sexnotatus Longhorned beetles - Cerambycidae Six-banded longhorned beetle
Small mulberry borer Longhorned beetles - Cerambycidae Dorcaschema alternatum
Longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae) Elm borerElder borer Larvae live in wood Saperda tridentata Desmocerus palliatus
Click beetles - Elateridae AdultLarva – “Wireworm” 800 species in N. America
Metallic wood-boring beetles - Buprestidae 700 species in N. America
Metallic wood-boring beetles - Buprestidae
Bark beetles - Scolytidae About 500 species in N. America Mountain pine beetle Dendroctonus ponderosae
Bark beetles - Scolytidae Mountain pine beetle damage
Bark beetle damage
Soldier beetles - Cantharidae About 500 species in N. America
Lady beetles - Coccinellidae Coleomegilla maculata Pinkspotted lady beetle 400 species in N. America
Lady beetles - Coccinellidae Pinkspotted lady beetle – efficient biocontrol agent
Lady beetles - Coccinellidae Lady beetle larva is a ferocious predator
Blister beetles - Meloidae 330 species in N. America
Blister 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 - Silphidae Burying beetles Nicrophorus spp. 50 species in N. America
Silpha americana Carrion beetles - Silphidae American carrion beetle – endangered species