The most diverse group of
organisms on Earth – over
300,000 species
# of described species of organisms on Earth
Total 1,392,485
Virus (1000)
Bacteria (4760)
Fungi (46983)
Algae (26900)
Plants (248428)
Protozoa (30800)
Worms (48000)
Molluscs (50000)
Insects (751000)
Other arthropods (123161)
Vertebrates (43853)
# of insect species in N. America:
ca. 90,000
# of beetle species: ca. 30,000
# of families: 111
Beetle structure
mandibles
antennae
elytra (hard
fore wings)
membraneous
hind wings
abdomen
Rove beetles – Staphylinidae
The largest family of beetles in N. America
3,100 species
Weevils – Curculionidae
The largest family of beetles (and probably animals) in the world
Second largest in North America
2,500 species
Curculio elephas
European Chestnut Weevil
Weevils can be pests (alfalfa weevil) or
beneficial (attacking invasive weeds)
Hypera postica – Alfalfa weevil
Ground beetles - Carabidae
Third largest family in N. America – 1,700 species
Calosoma scrutator
Caterpillar hunter
Ground beetles - Carabidae
Chlaenius sp.
Vivid metallic ground beetle
Ground beetles - Carabidae
Pasimachus elongatus
Bluemargined ground beetle
Tiger beetles - Cicindelidae
Cicindela formosa
Big sand tiger beetle
Tiger beetles - Cicindelidae
Cicindela willistoni
Tiger beetles and Ground beetles are active predators
Tiger beetles - Cicindelidae
Cicindela sexguttata
Six-spotted Green Tiger beetle
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
Spotted cucumber beetle
Northern corn root worm
Potato flea beetle
Western corn root worm
Scarab beetles - Scarabaeidae
Fifth largest family in N. America – 1,400 species
Phanaeus sp.
Scarab beetles - Scarabaeidae
Canthon sp.
Dung beetles
Scarab beetles - Scarabaeidae
Japanese Beetle (Popillia punctata)
Scarab beetles - Scarabaeidae
Larvae – “grubs”
Cotinis nitida
Green June beetle
Scarab beetles - Scarabaeidae
Rhinoceros beetle
Goliath beetle – the largest beetle in the world
0
8 in
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
1,100 species in N. America
Plectrodera scalator
Cottonwood borer
Longhorned beetles - Cerambycidae
Dryobius sexnotatus
Six-banded longhorned beetle
Longhorned beetles - Cerambycidae
Dorcaschema alternatum
Small mulberry borer
Longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae)
Desmocerus palliatus
Saperda tridentata
Elm borer
Elder borer
Larvae live in wood
Click beetles - Elateridae
800 species in N. America
Adult
Larva – “Wireworm”
Metallic wood-boring beetles
- Buprestidae
700 species in N. America
Metallic wood-boring beetles - Buprestidae
Metallic wood-boring beetles - Buprestidae
Bark beetles - Scolytidae
About 500 species in N. America
Dendroctonus ponderosae
Mountain pine beetle
Bark beetles - Scolytidae
Mountain pine beetle damage
Bark beetle damage
Soldier beetles - Cantharidae
About 500 species in N. America
Lady beetles - Coccinellidae
400 species in N. America
Coleomegilla maculata
Pinkspotted lady beetle
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?
•Toxic to horses – may poison hay
•Natural enemies of grasshoppers
Carrion beetles - Silphidae
50 species in N. America
Nicrophorus spp.
Burying beetles
Carrion beetles - Silphidae
Silpha americana
American carrion beetle – endangered species