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*** Note: KnowYourInsects.org does its best to include correct identifications of insect photos. It’s always possible that we made a mistake, however, so if you see a misidentification, please contact us and we will correct it. Thanks!
Order Coleoptera: the beetles — Examples
Now on THREE pages
| Cerambycidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Anthicidae | Anthribidae | Attelabidae | Brentidae | Cleridae | Coccinellidae | Cucujidae | Curculionidae | Erotylidae |
| Lymexylidae | Melyridae | Meloidae | Mordellidae | Nitidulidae | Oedemeridae | Silvanidae | Tenebrionidae | Trogossitidae | Zopheridae |
| Brachypsectridae | Buprestidae | Byrrhidae | Callirhipidae | Cantharidae | Carabidae | Cicindelidae (see Carabidae) | Dermestidae |
| Drilidae | Dytiscidae | Elateridae | Glaphyridae | Histeridae | Hydrophilidae | Lampyridae | Lucanidae |
| Lycidae | Passalidae | Phengodidae | Ptinidae | Scarabaeidae | Silphidae | Staphylinidae |
Chrysomelidae, the leaf beetles
Swamp milkweed leaf beetle, Labidomera clivicollis, subfamily Chrysomelinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Both larvae and the adults of the swamp milkweed leaf beetle visit milkweed plants, and chew through the leaf veins, which releases milky sap that serves as their food. Photographed by: Bea Cuthbertson. Identified by: Leslie Mertz. Location: on the border between Hillsdale and Lenawee counties, Michigan, USA. Date: 8 September, 2015. Bea says it was roughly 3/8–1/2 inches long (0.9-1.2 cm). |
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Swamp milkweed leaf beetle, Labidomera clivicollis, subfamily Chrysomelinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The color and pattern of the swamp milkweed leaf beetle is highly variable. Some are red, some orange, and some are ivory-colored. Black spotting is always present, but the spots may be much more or less extensive in some individuals. These three photos show some of the wide variation among swamp milkweed leaf beetles, also known simply as milkweed leaf beetles. All have a black pronotum (the shield covering the thorax) and head. Photographed and identified by: Celia Godwin. Great ID, Celia! Location: eastern Ontario, Canada. Date: 12 June, 2021. Celia says, “I’m having fun raising monarch caterpillars.... (I)n the process of looking for them, I also found milkweed leaf beetles.” |
Zygogramma heterothecae (no specific common name), subfamily Chrysomelinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Zygogramma heterothecae (no specific common name) looks very similar to the Calligrapha beetles also pictured on this page. One difference is that the head and pronotum (the shield covering the thorax) on this Zygogramma heterothecae has a dark, brick-red color, while those of most Calligrapha beetles look either black or deep green. Photographed by: Julie Brown. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Haxtun, Colorado, USA. Date: 18 July, 2017. |
Calligrapha beetle in the genus Calligrapha, quite possibly an elm calligrapha, Calligrapha scalaris, subfamily Chrysomelinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The elm calligrapha has some variety in its markings. Many have the pattern shown here: a long blotch down the middle of the back, a boot-shaped marking at each “shoulder,” as well as a variety of smaller spots. Photographed and identified to order by: Jacqulyn Stark. Identified to genus and tentative species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Houston, Texas, USA. Date: 25 February, 2019. Jacqulyn found it on a picnic table in the shade. She says, “I don’t know what it is, but it’s cute. According to a friend, it’s a cow.” |
Dogwood calligrapha, also known as a dogwood leaf beetle, Calligrapha philadelphica, subfamily Chrysomelinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Dogwood calligrapha beetles are often found (unsurprisingly) on dogwood (in the Cornus genus), but will also visit nearby willow plants (in the Salix genus). Sometimes, they will share a dogwood plant with another species of calligrapha beetle called the common willow calligrapha (Calligrapha multipunctata). Photographed and identified to genus by: Emily Day. Identified to species by: Bill Mertz. Thank you, Bill! Location: Pinhoti trail, Alabama, USA. Date: 21 April, 2020. Emily says, “This beetle attached itself to my niece’s backpack while hiking on the Pinhoti trail in Alabama. We loved its tribal markings and wanted to know if it was a ladybug. I know from your site that it is a calligraphy beetle.” KnowYourInsects.org says, “Glad you found it!” |
Dogwood calligrapha, also known as a dogwood leaf beetle, Calligrapha philadelphica, subfamily Chrysomelinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ This photo shows off the gold metallic sheen in this dogwood calligrapha. The head and ppronotum (the shield covering the thorax) looks black, but in certain light, it will appear as a deep metallic green. Photographed by: Melissa Bishop. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Parma, Michigan, USA. Date: 22 May, 2020. |
Common willow calligrapha, Calligrapha multipunctata, subfamily Chrysomelinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Many species of calligrapha beetles have an all-dark pronotum (the shield covering the thorax), but the common willow calligrapha has quite a bit of cream mixed in. Many have black or dark brown heads, but some (like this one) have a lighter, reddish-brown or orange hue. Photographed by: Ryan Lang. Discovered by: Graham Lee. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. Date: 26 May, 2022. Ryan says he and his son found this beetle while on a walk. Nice family collaboration, Ryan and Graham! |
Bloody-nosed beetle, also known as a blood-spewing beetle, Timarcha tenebricosa, subfamily Chrysomelinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Of the bloody-nosed beetle, the photographer reports, “It’s said that when it’s disturbed, it oozes a red liquid from its front end, but not what I’ve seen so far!” The liquid is a mix of insect blood, which is called hemolymph, and noxious chemicals. Photographed and identified by: Bryan Wenham-Baker. Thank you for the ID, Bryan! Location: Ivybridge, South Hams, South Devon, England, UK. Date: June, 2018. |
Bloody-nosed beetle, also known as a blood-spewing beetle, Timarcha tenebricosa, subfamily Chrysomelinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ When a bloody-nosed beetle feels threatened, it secretes a foul-tasting fluid — its blood mixed with chemicals — from its mouth as a way of repelling a potential predator. Photographed and identified by: Bryan Wenham-Baker. Location: Ivybridge, South Hams, South Devon, England, UK. Date: 29 April, 2018. Bryan says “this cute little beetle” was about 10–12mm in length. |
Bloody-bosed beetle, also known as a blood-spewing beetle, Timarcha tenebricosa, subfamily Chrysomelinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ See the photographer’s comments below about the bloody-nosed beetle’s big feet with its expanded tarsal pads and a pair of tiny hooks at the tips. Photographed and identified by: Bryan Wenham-Baker. Location: Ivybridge, South Hams, South Devon, England, UK. Date: 19 August, 2019. Bryan says, “It’s certainly very well equipped with footwear. Apart from the customary pair of hooks, the feet seem extra-large: three segments, and also the yellow edges of its footpads.” |
Some insects exhibit reflex bleeding or autohemorrhaging, which means they are able to secrete their blood, called hemolymph, when they feel threatened. This secreted hemolymph is usually mixed with chemicals that taste bad to potential predators. |
Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, subfamily Chrysomelinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The Colorado potato beetle is a major pest of potato plants, and will also attack tomato and pepper plants. Photographed and identified by: Leslie Mertz. Location: Kalkaska County, Michigan, USA. Date: 28 May, 2012. |
Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, subfamily Chrysomelinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The Colorado potato beetle has a species name that describes it: Leptinotarsa that means thin tarsi, which describes its narrow feet; and decemlineata that means 10 lines, and refers to the 10 black stripes on its elytra (the hardened forewings that cover the abdomen). Photographed by: Denise Rulason. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Mayville, Michigan, USA. Date: 4 August, 2020. |
Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, subfamily Chrysomelinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Americans often think they are on the receiving end of all invasive species, but the United States has also sent many invasive species to Europe and other parts of the world. The Colorado potato beetle is an example. This one was photographed in Latvia. Photographed and identified by: Diana Luntena. Excellent ID, Diana! Location: Riga, Latvia. Date: June, 2022. Diana says, “Strangely cute for what is: in essence, a pest.” |
False potato beetle, Leptinotarsa juncta, subfamily Chrysomelinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The false potato beetle has a brown stripe down the middle of its back where the elytra meet (center arrow in right photo). It also usually has another brown stripe within a thick black stripe on each elytra (left and right arrows). These stripes help distinguish it from the similar-looking Colorado potato beetle, shown elsewhere on this page. Photographed by: Elizabeth Boyle. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: West Milford, New Jersey, USA. Date: 11 June, 2017. |
False potato beetle, Leptinotarsa juncta, subfamily Chrysomelinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Unlike the Colorado potato beetle, the false potato beetle is not an agricultural pest. Rather, it eats plants usually considered weeds, such as horsenettle (Solanum carolinense) and ground cherry (in the genus Physalis). Photographed and identified to order by: Bill Schwartz. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Gettysburg, PA, USA. Date: 20 August, 2014. |
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Australian tortoise beetle, Trachymela sloanei, subfamily Chrysomelinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Australian tortoise beetles are native to Australia, but as of 1998, they are also found across the ocean in California, where this photo was taken. In both locations, this beetle feeds on eucalyptus trees, which have also been introduced to California. While the beetles arrived inadvertently, eucalyptus was intentionally brought to California as a fast-growing source of fuel wood during the Gold Rush. For more about these beetles in California, click here (University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources). □ Introduced populations of these beetles have also been found in Spain, New Zealand, and as of 2020, in China (Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology). Photographed by: Thomas Langhans. See Thomas’s full-size images here and here. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: city of Brisbane, county of San Mateo, California, USA. Date: 26 July, 2023. Thomas says it was about about 10 mm (0.4 inches) in body length. |
Dotted paropsine leaf beetle, Paropsis atomaria, subfamily Chrysomelinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The dotted paropsine leaf beetle is native to Australia, and was first spotted in southern California (specifically in Los Angeles) in 2022. According to the Los Angeles Agricultural Commissioner, its larvae nibble on "at least 20 Eucalyptus and Corymbia species,” as well as a number of ornamental trees common there. To learn more, click here (Los Angeles County website). Photographed by: Vanesa Lizette Vasquez. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Whittier, California, USA. Date: 8 September, 2023. Vanesa says, “It was so weird, so I had to take a picture. The curiosity got me.” |
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Knab’s leaf beetle, Chrysomela mainensis, subfamily Chrysomelinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Knab’s leaf beetle may have a background color of red, red and tan, just tan (shown here) or light gray. Some have more black spotting than others, but all have the two-color pronotum (the shield covering the thorax), as seen in this photo. Photographed and identified by: Leslie Mertz. Location: Markey Township, Houghton Lake, Michigan. Date: July 2020. Leslie says, “This was a very active beetle that paused only for a second for this photo. Its antennae, however, never stopped moving.” |
Paropsisterna debilis (no specific common name), subfamily Chrysomelinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The photographer describes this Paropsisterna debilis as having a “coffee-coloured translucent shell over variably bluish-dark grey background with highly reflective metallic ‘gold leaf’ spots and stripes.” It was 7 mm (about a quarter inch) in body length. □ Note: This species was previously listed under the genus name of Chrysophtharta. Photographed by: Wayne Harper. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Bunbury, Western Australia. Date: 13 January, 2022. Wayne says, “Never seen by myself before in 60 years of living here.” |
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Cryptocephalus fulguratus (no specific common name), subfamily Cryptocephalinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ According to entomologist Robert Barney (who identified this beetle), this Cryptocephalus fulguratus (no specific common name) is not a common species. Photographed by: Seif Naqvi. Identified by: Robert J. Barney, Ph.D., professor emeritus at West Virginia State University. Thank you, Dr. Barney! Location: Lexington, Kentucky, USA. Date: 8 September, 2017. Seif’s mother Kathleen says, “I found this bug in a branch in my peach tree.” |
Cryptocephalus irroratus (no specific common name), subfamily Cryptocephalinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ This Cryptocephalus irroratus is shown in slightly different angles. It is about the size of a ladybug. This particular individual has yellowish-colored patterning on a black background, but many members of this species have a reddish background instead. It is an introduced species to Florida, where it was photographed. Photographed by: Marv Goldberg. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: The Villages, Florida, USA. Date: 5 June, 2019. Marv says, “This guy was so cute!” |
Cryptocephalus irroratus (no specific common name), subfamily Cryptocephalinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ This is the red version of Cryptocephalus irroratus. The black version is shown in separate entry on this page. Photographed and identified by: Dana Zelenak. Excellent ID, Dana! Location: Punta Gorda, Florida, USA. Date: 1 June, 2022. Dana says she found it in her garden, and identified it through this website. Nice job identifying it, Dana! |
Possibly a Pennsylvania beetle, Cryptocephalus badius, subfamily Cryptocephalinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Identification is difficult from this photo, but it may be a Pennsylvania beetle, which has a solid red to orange pronotum (the shield covering the thorax); and elytra with a red-brown to brown pattern on a white background. Photographed and identified to order by: Mari Sparklin. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Springfield, Michigan, USA. Date: 12 July, 2020. |
 Case-bearing leaf beetle, Cryptocephalus leucomelas, subfamily Cryptocephalinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ This case-bearing leaf beetle has a pattern of stripes on the pronotum (the shield covering the thorax); and spots and blotches on its elytra. See additional comments below. Photographed and identified to order by: Robert E. Carpenter. See Robert’s slow-motion nature video here. Identified to species by: Edward Riley, research assistant with the Texas A&M University Insect Collection. Thank you, Edward! Location: Kerrville, Texas, USA. Date: 14 December, 2016. Edward says, “The larvae construct and live in cases on the soil surface and feed on fallen leaves. Adults eat foliage of willow and poplar.” |
Mimosestes seed beetle, Mimosestes amicus, subfamily Cryptocephalinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ A careful look will reveal a rosy hue in about the middle of the gray wings. Female mimosestes seed beetles lay their eggs in plants in the genus Parkinsonia, which includes plants known as Foothills Palo Verde, Blue Palo Verde, and in Velvet Mesquite. Photographed by: Betty-Lou Archibald. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Apache Junction, Arizona, USA. Date: 7 November, 2017. Betty-Lou describes this one as being able to hop or jump, and also fly. |
A leaf beetle, subfamily Cryptocephalinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ KnowYourInsects has been unable to identify the genus or species of this beetle. If you know what it is, please email us! Photographed and identified to family by: Pandian Tensingh. Location: Thiruthani, TamilNadu, South India, India. Date: 14 July, 2023. |
The family name Chrysomelidae comes from a Greek word meaning golden melon. It derives from one type of leaf beetle that is gold in color and round rather like a melon. |
Scarlet lily leaf beetle, Lilioceris lilii, subfamily Criocerinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The scarlet lily leaf beetle is mostly red (sometimes orange) with a black head and legs. The pronotum (the shield covering the thorax) is only about as wide as the head. Photographed by: Duane Schultz. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Wilson, New York, USA. Date: 14 May, 2017. Duane says this beetle is eating their lily plants. |
Scarlet lily leaf beetle, Lilioceris lilii, subfamily Criocerinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The scarlet lily leaf beetle is a Eurasian species that first arrived in North American in the 1940s, likely via nursery plants, and has now spread into wild lilies, according to Bugguide.net. Photographed by: Ahuva Over. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Clifton, New Jersey, USA. Date: 2020. |
A cereal leaf beetle, either Oulema melanopus or Oulema rufocyanea, subfamily Criocerinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The cereal leaf beetle has metallic green elytra (hardened forewings covering the abdomen), on an otherwise orange-red body. □ Note: Without dissecting the beetle, it is nearly impossible to tell whether it is the species Oulema melanopus or Oulema rufocyanea, although the latter is much more rare. Photographed and identified by: Jean-Louis Metzger. Well done, Jean-Louis! Location: Oxford, England, UK. Date: 28 March, 2019. |
A cereal leaf beetle, either Oulema melanopus or Oulema rufocyanea, subfamily Criocerinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The cereal leaf beetle is a small beetle — the photographer says this one was just 5 mm (0.2 inches) long, and gets its common name from its preferred diet of oats and cereal grains. Photographed and identified to order by: Bryan Wenham-Baker. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Ivybridge, South Hams, South Devon, England, UK. Date: 6 April, 2019. Bryan found this one on the inside of his patio door. |
Tobacco slug beetle, Lema bilineata, subfamily Criocerinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Originally from South America, the tobacco slug beetle has now spread over much of the world. It was first noted in Australia in 2010, and in Europe (in Naples, Italy) in 2017. It feeds on tobacco plants, as well as lily of the valley vine (Salpichroa origanifolia) and jimsonweeds (in the genus Datura). Photographed by: Rukyya Siddique. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Pauri district Uttrakhand, India. Date: 14 June, 2020. |
Opulent lema leaf beetle, Lema opulenta, subfamily Criocerinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The opulent lema leaf beetle is often found feeding on tomato leaves. It is rather common in Texas, where this photo was taken, but not elsewhere in the U.S. Its range reportedly extends south through Mexico and to Central America. Photographed by: Neda Doany. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: central Texas, US. Date: 30 May, 2021. Neda found this beetle in the garden. |
Yellow orchid beetle, Lema pectoralis, subfamily Criocerinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The yellow orchid beetle is a major pest of orchids, as both its larvae and adults eat the plants. This small beetle has a yellow head, pronotum (the shield covering the thorax), elytra (the hardened forewings covering its back), and femora (thighs). To set off the yellow, it remainder of its legs and also its antennae are black. Its elytra are also covered with rows of tiny punctures. Photographed and identified by: Eric Blehaut. Great ID, Eric! Location: Bang Krang, Nonthaburi, Thailand. Date: 17 January, 2023. |
Dogbane beetle, Chrysochus auratus, subfamily Eumolpinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Look at that color! Not surprisingly, the dogbane beetle eats the plant known as common dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum) — the larvae munch on the roots, and the adult beetles nibble at the leaves. Photographed and identified by: Kelly McKinne (@gonzonaturalist). Nice ID, Kelly! Location: northern Ohio, USA. Date: 6 July, 2016. |
A colapsis beetle in the genus Colapsis, subfamily Eumolpinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Several species in this genus of colapsis beetle look nearly identical. This may be Colaspis pseudofavosa (no specific common name), which is found in Florida where this photo was taken. It feeds on blueberries and pecans, as well as other things, such as the southern wax myrtle/bayberry tree, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Photographed by: Marv Goldberg. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Tamarac, Florida, USA. Date: 23 April, 2019. |
A colapsis beetle in the genus Colapsis, possibly Colapsis flavicornis, subfamily Eumolpinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Colapsis beetles are within a large genus (more than 200 species), but its appearance and geographic location helped entomologist Georg Goergen tentatively identify this one as Colapsis flavicornis (no specific common name). He noted, however, that it is reported as a pest of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), whereas the photographer found this one on turkeyberry (Solanum torvum). Photographed by: Tarran P. Maharaj. Identified by: Georg Goergen, Ph.D., of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.. Thank you, Dr. Goergen! Location: Mondesir, Trinidad. Date: 10 July, 2021. |
A leaf beetle in the genus Basilepta, subfamily Eumolpinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ A careful look at this leaf beetle shows a hump on the front of each of the two elytra (the hardened forewings that cover its back). This is a feature of beetles in this genus (Basilepta). The photographer spotted this individual on mango leaves. Photographed by: Dr. Sachin Chavan. Identified by: entomologist and chrysomelid specialist Prathapan Divakaran. Thank you, Dr. Divakaran! Location: Paria, Ta. Pardi, Gujarat, India. Date: 31 October, 2021. |
Species may be introduced to a new place accidentally. A common route is for a tiny or camouflaged insect egg, larva, or pupa to travel unseen on or in an imported nursery plant, or in wooden packing materials. |
Elm leaf beetle, Xanthogaleruca luteola, subfamily Galerucinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The elm leaf beetle is a pest species on elm trees. The larvae are leaf skeletonizers, which means that they eat the green parts of leaves, so only the veins are left behind. This beetle may be greenish in color (as shown here) or yellow. For more information and to see the yellow form, click here (Colorado State University Extension). Photographed and identified to order by: Robert Moelder. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Cashmere, Washington, USA. Date: 11 April, 2019. |
Meristata leaf beetle, Meristata quadrifasciata, subfamily Galerucinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Little is known about the meristata leaf beetle or any members of the genus Meristata. Photographed and identified to order by: Rukyya Siddique. Identified to genus by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Uttarakhand, India. Date: 21 June, 2020. |
Spotted cucumber beetle Diabrotica undecimpunctata, subfamily Galerucinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ True to its name of spotted cucumber beetle, this attractive beetle does love cucumbers, but it will also eat other crops, including melons and pumpkins. The adults dine on the leaves, vines, and fruit. Photographed by: Quy Thai. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Sterling Heights, Macomb County, Michigan, USA. Date: 31 August, 2014. |
Spotted cucumber beetle, Diabrotica undecimpunctata, subfamily Galerucinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The larva of the spotted cucumber beetle is sometimes called a southern corn rootworm because it tunnels into corn stems, usually right at ground level or a bit above, and this can kill the plant. To read more about this species, click here (Oklahoma State University Extension). Photographed by: Dave Delman, M.D. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York, USA. Date: 28 October, 2017. |
Spotted cucumber beetle, Diabrotica undecimpunctata, subfamily Galerucinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Spotted cucumber beetles are divided into two subspecies: Diabrotica undecimpunctata undecimpunctata, which has have a yellowish-green abdomen (seen here just peeking out at the rear; and Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi, which has a more yellowish-orange abdomen. Photographed and identified by: Thomas Langhans. Well done, Thomas! See Thomas’s full-size image here. Location: San Bruno, county of San Mateo, California, USA. Date: 27 November, 2017. Thomas says, “I found this one crawling on our car, a Nissan Leaf. Did it really know it was a Leaf?” |
A leaf beetle in the genus Asphaera, subfamily Galerucinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ This leaf beetle has a neat windowpane pattern of brown and light yellow. Photographed and identified to order by: Tarran Maharaj. Identified to genus by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Trinidad and Tobago. Date: 20 July, 2021. Tarran says, “Everyday I am rewarded with new insects.” |
A leaf beetle in the genus Alagoasa, subfamily Galerucinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ This leaf beetle has a reddish pronotum (the shield covering the thorax), and numerous ivory spots on otherwise black elytra. Photographed and identified to order by: Tarran Maharaj. Identified to genus by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Trinidad and Tobago. Date: 20 July, 2021. Tarran snapped this photo is his backyard. |
 Larger elm leaf beetle, Monocesta coryli, subfamily Galerucinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The overall teardrop silhouette — widening from the head to the rear — is characteristic of the larger elm leaf beetle. Most also have the wide black bands on their elytra, as seen here, but in some, the front band has a break in the center, and in others, both bands are missing. Photographed by: Nicky Schauder. Check out the Schauders’ Permaculture Gardens program. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA. Date: 19 July, 2023. |
Cucurbit leaf beetle, in the genus Aulacophora, possibly Aulacophora indica, subfamily Galerucinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ This cucurbit leaf beetle is rather creamed-coffee colored insect with sparce, slight ridges on its elytra, darker brown shading around the edge of its head, and a darker brown scutellum. Numerous species in this genus look similar, and can be difficult to tell apart without a direct examination of the specimen. For example, the species Aulacophora coffeae is also a good match. Photographed and identified by: Eric Blehaut. Thank you for the ID, Eric! Location: Bang Krang, Nonthaburi, Thailand. Date: 24 January, 2013. |
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Red-headed flea beetle, Systena frontalis, subfamily Galerucinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ This red-headed flea beetle gets its name from the dark-red head (the color is just visible in this photo) and its robust, jumping hind legs. The “knees” (the joint between the femur and tibia) are clearly seen on either side of the abdomen. Jumping hind legs are not very common among the beetles, so it is a great find! Photographed by: Will Plemmons. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. Date: 14 August, 2019. |
Bean leaf beetle, Cerotoma trifurcata, subfamily Galerucinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Bean leaf beetles may be red, orange, beige, or gray, and usually have six black spots (the four seen here, plus two more at the rear). Some individuals, however, have reduced or no spots. All have a black scutellum, which is the black triangle between the “shoulders” and just behind the pronotum (the shield covering the thorax) and . Photographed and identified as a beetle by: Tom Walker. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Cornwall, Ontario. Date: 24 August, 2021. |
Flea beetles, subfamily Galerucinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Flea beetles get their name from their amazing jumping ability, similar to that of fleas. Flea beetles, however, are not related to fleas. Fleas fall under a completely separate insect order, the Siphonaptera. To read about fleas click here (KnowYourInsects.org flea page). □ Different species of flea beetles often favor specific plants. Those in this photo are dining on okra leaves. Photographed and identified to subfamily by: Abang Albert Fomumbod. Location: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture station, Nkolbisson, Yaounde, Cameroon. Date: September 2014. |
Blepharida irrorata (no specific common name), subfamily Galerucinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The Central American Blepharida irrorata has an orange head and pronotum (the shield covering the thorax), and red-and-white elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen). Photographed by: Stacie Pearson. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Roatan, Honduras. Date: 22 October, 2020. |
Monolepta signata (no specific common name), subfamily Galerucinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ This Monolepta signata is shown on a cotton plant in India. Members of this species may have white markings on black elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen), as shown, or may have white markings on brown or orange elytra. Photographed by: Khushal Jawanjal. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Ahamadnagar State Maharashtra, India. Date: 6 July, 2021. |
Blue alder leaf beetle, Agelastica alni, subfamily Galerucinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The blue alder leaf beetle is usually shiny blue (sometimes purple-and-blue or black). When it lifts its elytra (the hardened forewings that cover the abdomen) for flight, its yellow-sided abdomen comes into view. To learn more about this small beetle, click here (NatureSpot.org). Photographed and identified by: Jean-Louis Metzger. Nicely done on the ID, Jean-Louis! Location: Oxford, England, UK. Date: 16 February, 2024. Jean-Louis reports that this beetle was “enjoying the February sunshine, on a wooden railing, at Ifley Lock (Oxford), in close vicinity to alder trees growing on the bank of the Isis/Thames river.” |
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Podontia dalmani (no specific common name), subfamily Galerucinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ One of the features of Podontia dalmani (no specific common name) is its rather lumpy pronotum (the shield covering the thorax), which has a variety of creases — especially visible in the photo at right. Note also the wide tarsi (feet). Photographed by: Thanh Trung. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Hanoi, Vietnam. Date: 6 October, 2021. Thanh says, “So beautiful!” |
A podontia beetle in the genus Podontia, possibly Podontia dalmani (no specific common name), subfamily Galerucinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ This podontia beetle has a cream background color with salmon-pink splotches and black speckled sections. □ This genus is sometimes listed as part of the subfamily Alticinae, but usually is instead listed as one of the flea-beetle subfamily Galerucerinae. Photographed and identified to subfamily by: Sarah Bales. Identified to genus: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Hanoi, Vietnam. Date: 19 April, 2021. Sarah says she found this pretty little beetle in her house. |
Insect species that are frequently seen, are pests, or are particularly beautiful often have specific common names. Others may be only known by generic subfamily names, such as “tortoise beetle,” or a genus name, such as “a podontia beetle.” |
Stolas lebasii (no specific common name), subfamily Cassidinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ A row of four red spots marches across the back of this Stolas lebasii. In this individual, the red spots are all the same size, but in some individuals the outer two spots may be much smaller. Photographed and identified by: Paul Davis. Well done, Paul! Location: Xandari resort, Costa Rica. Date: June 2018. |
Stolas pertusa (no specific common name), subfamily Cassidinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ This Stolas pertusa has quite tremendous variation: some are red with black patterning (as shown here), some are red with far less black patterning, and some are a light-tan color with or without spots. Photographed and identified by: Paul Davis. Another great ID, Paul! Location: Anto de valle, Panama. Date: September 2019. |
A tortoise beetle, possibly in the genus Chiridopsis, subfamily Cassidinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Many of the tortoise beetle species have a round shape, as seen here. And like tortoises, these beetles can draw in their legs so they are hidden from sight. Photographed and identified as a tortoise beetle by: Rupinder Singh. Location: Jammu and Kashmir, India. Date: 24 August, 2020. |
Cassida circumdata (no specific common name), subfamily Cassidinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Cassida circumdata (no specific common name), is metallic green with a typical, somewhat W-shaped black pattern on its elytra (the hardened forewings covering its abdomen). Others may have a mottled-black pattern. Either way, the outside of the elytra is clear (its legs are visible beneath the clear section). Photographed by: Bern Jericho. Submitted by: Nickolas C. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Guam. Date: 4 June, 2020. |
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Clavate tortoise beetle, Plagiometriona clavata, subfamily Cassidinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Tortoise Beetles, like the clavate tortoise beetle shown here, have a wide turtle-like upper shell. In many species, including this one, the edges are transparent. Photographed and identified by: Leslie Mertz. Location: Kalkaska County, Michigan, USA. Date: 12 June, 2012. |
Clavate tortoise beetle, larva, Plagiometriona clavata, subfamily Cassidinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ This larval clavate tortoise beetle has a ornate shield arising from and curling over its abdomen. That shield is actually made of the shed exoskeleton along with frass — frass is another word for feces. This “poop umbrella”, which has an odor, may help protect the larva from predators. □ For more about the very interesting tortoise beetles, click here (Entomology Today online magazine). Photographed by: Deborah Dudas. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, USA. Date: 1 March, 2022. |
Laccoptera nepalensis (no specific common name), subfamily Cassidinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The reddish back of Laccoptera nepalensis is sculpted with ridges, and punctuated with black spots. □ As in many other tortoise beetles, the pronotum (the shield covering the thorax) and elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen) are flared out at the edges, somewhat similar to a turtle shell that covers its legs. Photographed by: Bhuvan Raj. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Date: 25 August, 2019. |
Laccoptera nepalensis (no specific common name), subfamily Cassidinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Laccoptera nepalensis is a species of tortoise beetle. It was photographed in Thailand, which is home to several black-spotted orange tortoise beetles. This species is set apart by the spotting on the pronotum — it has only two spots, which may be noticeable (as in this individual) or very tiny to the point that they are difficult to see. Photographed and identified by: Eric Blehaut. Well done on the ID, Eric! Location: Bang Krang, Thailand. Date: 30 August, 2023. |
Coptocycla leprosa (no specific common name), subfamily Cassidinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ This pair of photos shows the dorsal and ventral (top and bottom) views of Coptocycla leprosa. The dorsal view shows the distinctive maroon color with gold highlights. See the photographer’s comment below about the amazing diversity in Mexico. Photographed and identified to subfamily by: Dustin Smith. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Oaxaca, Mexico. Date: 22 August, 2020. Dustin says, “I am still surrounded by weird and exotic insects, spiders, crocodiles, and snakes. I have only seen three of these guys, but again they caught my attention.” |
Golden tortoise beetle, Aspidimorpha sanctaecrucis, subfamily Cassidinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Golden tortoise beetles have a thorax and elytra (the forewings covering the abdomen) that are both transparent and metallic gold. As seen in these photos, the small yellow legs are visible beneath the transparent areas. The black-tipped antennae and hump in the elytra are also clearly seen in these photos. □ Note: This golden tortoise beetle species is found in Asia, but another species with the same common name is Charidotella sexpunctata, which is found in North America. Photographed and identified by: Eric Blehaut. Nice ID, Eric! Location: Bang Krang, Thailand. Date: 31 August, 2023. |
A tortoise beetle in the genus Aspidimorpha, subfamily Cassidinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ This tortoise beetle shines with the golden-hued pattern against the rest of its nearly clear elytra (the hardened forewings covering its abdomen). This may be a golden tortoise beetle, Aspidimorpha sanctaecrucis. Photographed by: Wasana Niyomdecha. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Thailand. Date: 27 September, 2018. |
A tortoise beetle in the genus Aspidimorpha, possibly a golden tortoise beetle, Aspidimorpha sanctaecrucis, subfamily Cassidinae, family Chrysomelidae. Photographed by: Spoorthi Sv. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Shivamogga (Shimoga), Karnataka state, southwest India. Date: 7 March, 2018. |
A tortoise beetle in the tribe Cassidini, subfamily Cassidinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The gold of this tortoise beetle is set off by the black markings, which look almost like feet. Photographed and identified to family by: Roopalee Bhole. Identified to tribe by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Pune City area, State Maharashtra, India. Date: 14 August, 2021. |
A tortoise beetle, possibly a golden tortoise beetle, Charidotella sexpunctata, subfamily Cassidinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ This pupa of a tortoise beetle (possibly only its shed or exuviae)has amazing sculptural detail. Note: Several species go by the common name of golden tortoise beetle, including an Asian species, which is found elsewhere on this page. Photographed by: Lisa Hetchler. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Sunfield, Michigan, USA. Date: 18 August, 2021. Lisa says, “He looks quite interesting when you zoom in on him.” |
A tortoise beetle, pupa, subfamily Cassidinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Entomologist Poorani Janakiraman of the National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources in Bangalore, India, identified this as a pupa of a tortoise beetle. □ Many insects have larvae or pupae that have similar brown and white patterning, which is believed to look enough like bird droppings to keep potential predators from recognizing them as prey. Photographed by: Arkopal Gupta. Identified by: Poorani Janakiraman of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Thank you, Dr. Janakiraman! Location: West Bengal, India. Date: 25 February, 2018. |
Ogdoecosta epilachnoides (no specific common name), subfamily Cassidinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The orange of Ogdoecosta epilachnoides is set off beautifully with black. This species has a bit of variation from individual to individual with some having thicker black lines, or a spot toward the rear of the elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen) rather than the stalked spot seen here. Photographed by: Mark Magers. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico. Date: 10 June, 2022. Mark says, “About 1 cm long, very cool!” |
A leaf beetle in the genus Callispa, subfamily Cassidinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ This leaf beetle displays a gradual color change from front to back, and antennae that arise from the head quite close together. See the comment below. □ Note: This beetle was formerly listed as part of the subfamily Hispinae. Photographed and identified to family by: Eyka Abu Hassan. Identified to genus by: entomologist Michael Geiser from the Natural History Museum in London. Thank you, Dr. Geiser! Location: Malaysia. Date: 11 May, 2020. Dr. Geiser says, “I am not able to tell which Callispa species it is. There are a few keys, but many of the relevant characters can’t be judged from this photo. Also there might still be some undescribed or unrecorded species in Malaysia, further complicating things.” |
A hispine beetle, subfamily Cassidinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ Hispine beetles are more oblong that round, and typically sit as shown with the antennae held out straight forward and close together. Photographed and identified as a beetle by: Senrita Raksam Marak. Identified as a hispine beetle by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: William Nagar, Meghalaya, India. Date: 13 April, 2020. |
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A tortoise beetle, larva, subfamily Cassidinae, family Chrysomelidae. □ The yellow organism is the larva of a tortoise beetle and the black is a layer of its feces on top. The feces forms a shield of sorts, and is believed to help protect the larva from predators. Photographed by: Pritesh Patel. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Rajkot, Gujarat, India. Date: 29 March, 2022. |
Spotted pine sawyer, Monochamus clamator, female, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Spotted pine sawyers are fairly large beetles, reaching about an inch (2.5 cm) in body length, not counting the antennae. Photographed and identified to order by: Victoria Lang. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Kanab, Utah, USA. Date: 9 September, 2021. |
Spotted pine sawyer, Monochamus clamator, female, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ After learning that this beetle was a spotted pine sawyer, the photographer said, “It makes sense, too, since I live on a lot heavily treed with ponderosa pines.” Read more below. Photographed by: Sharon Younie. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Outside Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. Date: 14 January, 2018. Sharon says, “We are located in proximity to burned areas from the 2013 Black Forest, Colorado, fires. Although we have few if any dead/dying trees on our property, I realize that I did not notice these bugs before the past few years.” |
Spotted pine sawyer, Monochamus clamator, female, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The larvae of spotted pine sawyers bore into the wood of seriously diseased or recently fallen pine trees, as well as spruces and firs. While chewing into the wood, the sound is quite noticeable, rather like a squeaky rocking chair on a wooden porch. To learn more, click here (Colorado State University). Photographed by: Maureen Ohearn. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast, British Columbia, Canada. Date: 4 September, 2020. Maureen says, “This little cutie was on my friend’s patio.” |
Carolina pine sawyer, Monochamus carolinensis, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The Carolina pine sawyer has brown mottling, and a pair of small spines — one on either side of its pronotum (the shield covering the thorax). This particular specimen has dozens of tiny red mites hitching a ride on its back. Click on the photo to see a close-up. Photographed by: Kevin Sheley. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Ligonier, Indiana, USA. Date: 11 July, 2020. |
A pine sawyer, either Carolina pine sawyer, Monochamus carolinensis; or southern pine sawyer, Monochamus titillator, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The Carolina pine sawyer and southern pine sawyer are nearly identical. The southern pine sawyer has really tiny, spiny tips on the elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen); the Carolina pine sawyer does not. The elytra tips are not visible in this photo, so the species remains unknown. Photographed by: Nick Horning. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: northwest South Carolina, USA. Date: 14 July, 2020. Nick says, “First time seeing this type of beetle!” |
Northeastern pine sawyer, Monochamus notatus, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The northeastern pine sawyer can have quite a mottled appearance and very long antennae, as seen here. The photographer heard the sawyer larvae chewing inside the trees — see his comment below. Photographed by: Jamison Schneider. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Southern Maryland, USA. Date: 13 August, 2023. Jamison says, “We heard them for several days after (the neighbor) cut the trees down. They”re quite audible cracking or munching!” |
Monochamus sartor (no specific common name), subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Monochamus sartor is a species seen in Europe, where this photograph was taken. Photographed by: Peter Huessy. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Sedrun, Switzerland. Date: 3 August, 2016. Peter found it in his garden. |
A sawyer in the genus Monochamus, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Among all the sawyer species in the genus Monochamus, the male has antennae that are at least twice as long as his body, while the female’s antennae are between 1-1.35 times the length of her body. This appears to be a female. Photographed and identified to genus by: Jim Pankey. Location: Chatsworth, Georgia, USA. Date: 27 May, 2014. |
Sombre twig pruner, Cloniocerus kraussii, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The sombre twig pruner has tufts of setae (insect “hair”) on its body and antennae. A couple of closely related species look quite similar, but the yellow band across the elytra (the hardened forewings covering its abdomen) sets this species apart. □ Note: The genus name is sometimes listed as Thercladodes instead of Cloniocerus, but the latter is the most widely accepted. Photographed by: Jeanette Kent. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Cape Town, South Africa. Date: 20 February, 2022. Jeanette says, “It was found on a wall near the gardens center.” |
Milkweed long-horned beetles, Tetraopes annulatus, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The milkweed long-horned beetle has four black spots on its pronotum (the shield covering the thorax), in addition to two black spots on each of its elytra (the hardened forewings covering its abdomen). It looks almost identical to another beetle in the same genus, Tetraopes pilosus, but the body of Tetraopes pilosus is covered with white or yellowish setae (insect “hairs”), which gives it a more faded appearance. Photographed by: Kim Thiel. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Dickinson, North Dakota, USA. Date: 19 August, 2019. Kim says, “Just haven’t seen those around much and was curious, as it was in my garden.“ |
Red milkweed beetles, mating pair, Tetraopes tetrophthalmus, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ This excellent shot of a mating pair of red milkweed beetles shows the four spots on the pronotum (the shield covering the thorax), and the pattern of small spots plus one larger, elongate spot on each of the two elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen). Compare it to the milkweed long-horned beetle pictured elsewhere on this page. Photographed by: Annette Raper. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Waterdown, Ontario, Canada. Date: 5 August, 2019. |
Red milkweed beetle, Tetraopes tetrophthalmus, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The scientific name of the red milkweed beetle includes the word tetrophthalmus, which translates to four-eyed. Beetles usually have only two eyes, but this one looks like it has four: The base of each antenna is set right in the middle of the eye, splitting it into two parts (seen in this photo as a black spot on each side of one of the antenna). Photographed by: Naomi Edelson Peterson. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Richmond, Illinois, USA. Date: 17 June 2020. |
Red milkweed beetles, mating pair, Tetraopes tetrophthalmus, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The vibrant color of this red milkweed beetle is quite noticeable on the milkweed plants (in the genus Asclepias) where it is usually found. Photographed and identified by: Leslie Mertz. Location: Kalkaska, Michigan, USA. Date: 21 June, 2012. |
Morimus asper (no specific common name), subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Morimus asper looks similar to another longhorn beetle species: Herophila tristis (no specific common name), but it generally has a greater body length, and thinner, longer antennae. For more information about telling the two apart, click here (the journal Nature Conservation) and scan down to the section on “Identification and comparison with similar taxa.” Photographed and identified by: Tracey Tarbuck. Excellent ID, Tracey! Location: Rudnik Mountain, Serbia. Date: 4 November, 2021. Tracey noted that she found it in an area that “is predominantly beech forest,” which helps confirm the identification. |
A flat-faced longhorn beetle in the genus Spalacopsis, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ This flat-faced long-horned beetle is a thin beetle measuring less than an inch long. A close examination reveals the tiny setae (insect “hairs”) that extend from the the length of the antennae. Photographed by: Craig Witkowski. Identified to genus by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Naples, Florida, USA. Date: 22 December, 2019. Craig says, “I found this little insect in the car today, so I figured I would take a few shots of it and try to figure out what it was. It was very patient with being photographed.” |
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Olenecamptus bilobus (no specific common name), male, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Olenecamptus bilobus has a pair of orange spots at the front of the elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen), and in some individuals the spots are circled with white, as seen above. This individual also has a second pair of orange spots at the rear of the elytra, while many other individuals within the species lack these two orange spots. Photographed and identified to family by: Alfa Rasak. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Kerala, India. Date: 17 November, 2020. |
Olenecamptus bilobus (no specific common name), male, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The male Olenecamptus bilobus has antennae that are twice as long as the body, as shown above. The number of spots on the wings can vary within this species — some have an additional pair of large spots farther back on the wings. Photographed by: Chua Kheng Sin. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Singapore. Date: 6 April, 2018. Chua says, “Saw this insect inside the gents’ toilet today on the wall.” KnowYourInsects.org says, “Such a beautiful insect! Great find, Chua!” |
Golden-bloomed grey long-horned beetle, Agapanthia villosoviridescens, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The golden-bloomed grey long-horned beetle gets the “golden-bloomed” part of its name from the gold sparkles or “bloom” of color on the pair of speckled wings that cover its abdomen. Click on the photo to zoom in and see the gold color. Photographed by: Alexandra Manning. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Northampton, UK. Date: 31 May, 2019. Alexandra says she took this photo after this beetle landed on her arm. |
Golden-bloomed grey long-horned beetle, Agapanthia villosoviridescens, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ This golden-bloomed grey long-horned beetle does not show much of the golden color — the “bloom” — but it has the rest of the typical characteristics of this species: the speckled wings, the stripes running from the head to the pronotum (the shield covering the thorax), and the black-and-white banding on the antennae. The golden-bloomed longhorn beetle is a large beetle with a body length that reaches 2 cm (0.8 inches) — with the antennae, it is twice that length. Photographed by: Gareth Conning. Submitted by: Kirsty Allen. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: UK. Date: 26 May, 2019. |
Golden-bloomed grey long-horned beetle, Agapanthia villosoviridescens, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The golden-bloomed grey long-horned beetle not only has banded antennae, but also a thick black segment at the base of each antenna, which is a characteristic of this species. □ The females bore into the stems of thistles and other plants and lay their eggs there. The hatching larvae eat the stem tissue, eventually cutting through the stem so it falls to the ground. At that point, the larvae pupate, complete their development and emerge as adults. Photographed by: Paul Hayes. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Washington Sunderland, UK. Date: 3 June, 2020. |
Agapanthia cardui (no specific common name), subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Agapanthia cardui takes a year to develop from an egg to an adult. In spring, the adult female lays her eggs in the stems of various plants, including thistles and daisies as described here (the journal The Coleopterist). The eggs hatch into larvae that eat plant tissue in the stems, the larvae pupate there, and the adults finally emerge from the stems the next spring to start the process all over again. Photographed by: Yanni Petropoulos. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: southern Greece Data: 17 May, 2020. |
Many long-horned beetles (family Cerambycidae) have antennae that look like they emerge from the center of their eyes. Actually, the eyes are shaped somewhat like the letter “C”, and curve about three-quarters of the way around the base of the antennae. |
A flat-faced longhorn beetle in the genus Cereopsius, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ This flat-faced long-horned beetle has striking, light-colored markings on a dark background, and a graceful curve to its antennae. Photographed by: Amirul Zahil. Identified by: entomologist Suksawat Poninij, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand. Thank you Professor Poninij! Location: Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia. Date: 7 April, 2019. |
Ceroplesis capensis (no specific common name), subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Ceroplesis capensis has four red bands across its back, the second of which is curved forward. Photographed by: Meagan Van Der Merwe. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: north of Capetown, South Africa. Date: 22 February, 2021. |
Beetles often have the word “horn” associated with them. In long-horned beetles — also known as longhorn or longicorn beetles — the horn refers to their long antennae, and not to a horn at all. |
Phryneta aurocincta, (no specific common name), subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Phryneta aurocincta has two wide reddish-orange bands on its elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen), which are studded with tiny indented spots. □ This beetle was first described by French naturalist and illustrator Félix Édouard Guérin-Méneville (1799-1874). To see some of Guérin-Méneville’s illustrations, click here (Artnet.com). Photographed by: Samuel Adedeji Otebolaku. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Nigeria. Date: 8 September, 2021. Samuel says, “I love nature’s animals, insects and plants. This insect is cute.” |
Urgleptes querci (no specific common name), subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Urgleptes querci has an intricate pattern on its back. The pattern varies quite widely among individuals, but all share the wide black band near the rear and the two black spots behind it (although the spots may be faint). Photographed by: Victor Leverenz. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Oxford, Michigan, USA. Date: 8 June, 2019. Victor says, “The body is about 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) and the antenna are much longer. Noticed it sitting on my desk.” |
Graphisurus triangulifer (no specific common name), subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Graphisurus triangulifer (no specific common name) has banded legs and antennae, as well as a white-outlined, black, irregular-shaped triangle on each of its elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen). The long and thin spike extending from the rear of this female is an egg-laying structure called an ovipositor. Photographed by: Jonathan Wheatley. Submitted by: Rachell Sullivan. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Central Kentucky. Date: 9 July, 2020. |
A flat-faced longhorn beetle possibly in the genus Graphisurus, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ This flat-faced longhorn beetle is brown with a mottled black pattern. It has has pointed projections on the sides of its pronotum (the shield covering the thorax), and striped antennae. Spotted, photographed, and identified by: 6-year-old Taylah Myrick and her mom Annette. Great job! Location: Castle Rock, Colorado, USA. Date: 14 June, 2020. |
A flat-faced longhorn beetle, possibly Lagocheirus araneiformis (no specific common name), subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ This flat-faced longhorn beetle has a black triangular blotch on each elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen), which is a characteristic of the species Lagocheirus araneiformis (no specific common name). Photographed by: Stef Stevens. Location: Panama. Date: 27 December, 2020. Stef spotted this beetle in the garden. |
Xylorhiza adjusta (no specific common name), subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Xylorhiza adjusta has elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen) that are covered with setae (insect “hairs”). This beetle is found in many parts of Southeast Asia, and also northeast into China. Photographed and identified to family by: K J Westman. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Nithulemada, Rajawella, Kandy, Sri Lanka. Date: 9 November, 2018. K J says, “The wings of my beetle look quite different from the wings of the longhorn beetles on your webpage.” KnowYourInsects.org says, “Yes! The setae (insect “hairs”) on the forewings are amazing!” |
Xylorhiza adjusta (no specific common name), subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The face on Xylorhiza adjusta looks almost like that of a lion. The swept-back antennae are also quite handsome. Photographed and identified to order by: Zywietz Valentin. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Meghalaya, northeastern India. Date: 2009. Zywietz found this beetle in “a hilled area with a river flowing through; mostly forested except where settled — some rice agriculture.” |
Ioesse sanguinolenta (no specific common name), subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Ioesse sanguinolenta is orange or brown with black burnishing at its “shoulders” (the front of its elytra), orange and black tarsi that look rather like slouchy socks, and a small spine extending from either side of its pronotum (the shield covering the thorax). □ This is a large beetle with a body length that can reach 4 cm (1.6 inches) long. Photographed and identified by: Paul Davis. Nicely done, Paul! Location: Fraser’s Hill, Malaysia. Date: March 2020. |
Aegomorphus modestus (no specific common name), female, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Aegomorphus modestus has a noticeable “tail”, which is actually an egg-laying structure called an ovipositor. That makes this beetle a female. Photographed and identified by: Leslie Mertz. Location: Markey Township, Houghton Lake, Michigan. Date: July 2020. |
Astyleiopus variegatus (no specific common name), subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Astyleiopus variegatus (no specific common name) has a mottled brown, black and white pattern, including a distinctive black-and-white marking on the tip (apex) of each elytra (the hardened forewings covering its abdomen). In addition, its antennae are banded in light and dark, and it legs have somewhat V-shaped black markings at the top of the femur. Photographed and identified to subfamily by: Robert E. Carpenter. See Robert’s cool slow-motion nature video here. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Kerrville, Texas, USA. Date: 15 June, 2023. Robert says, “This one came to a mercury-vapor light.” |
Leptostylopsis planidorsus (no specific common name), subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Leptostylopsis planidorsus typically has a light-colored pronotum (the shield covering the thorax) and two light-colored bands running across the back (one at the “shoulders” and one farther back). Each leg also has a pretty bulky, somewhat bulbous femur, and the antennae are banded. □ Little is known about this genus of beetles, but is believed that most species have larvae that bore into the dead branches of hardwood trees. Photographed and identified to family by: DL Dobson. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Hammond, Louisiana, USA. Date: early July 2021. |
A flat-faced longhorn beetle in the subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ This very small flat-faced long-horned beetle has a distinct chevron pattern on its elytra (the hardened forewings covering its abdomen), but its identity remains unknown. □ If you know what genus or species it is, please email us! Photographed by: Sarah Park. Location: Bangui, Central African Republic. Date: 1 April, 2018. Sarah says she found this “tiny, striped bug” on her screen door.” |
Long-horned beetle, subfamily Lamiinae, family Cerambycidae. □ This unknown long-horned beetle looks almost as if it is wearing dark-rimmed glasses. It also has a brown, black and white speckling on its pronotum (the shield covering the thorax) and elytra (the hardened forewings covering its abdomen). □ If you know what genus or species it is, please email us! Photographed by: Kislay kunar. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: northern India. Date: 24 September, 2020. |
Unlike most beetle species, aquatic leaf beetles in the subfamily Donaciinae have larvae that live underwater. They get oxygen from aquatic plant stems — they puncture the stems with sharp but hollow spurs at the tip of the abdomen and draw up the oxygen through the spurs. |
Aquatic leaf beetle in the genus Donacia, subfamily Donaciinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Aquatic leaf beetles are usually found amid reeds and other emergent aquatic vegetation in ponds, shallow lakes and streams. Most, like this one, have a metallic sheen. Photographed by: Leah McPherson. Identified by: Mark O'Brien. Location: southeastern Michigan, USA. Date: 21 June, 2019. |
Aquatic leaf beetle, possibly in the genus Plateumaris, subfamily Donaciinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Aquatic leaf beetles are terrestrial as adults (shown here), but the larvae live and feed on underwater plant stems. Determining species in this subfamily is challenging. To a good key click here (the journal Monographs of the Western North American Naturalist) — it requires a look at the actual specimen rather than a photo. Photographed and identified to family by: Jherime Kellermann. Identified to tentative genus by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Lake of the Woods, Oregon, USA. Date: 24 June, 2021. |
Sugarcane longhorn stemborer, Dorysthenes buquetii, subfamily Prioninae, family Cerambycidae. □ Sugarcane longhorn stemborers have a body length of about 4 cm (1.6 inches). Its common name comes from its larvae, which bore into sugarcane stems. The adults typically stay out of sight during the day and emerge at night. Photographed by: Dr. Shankar Kumar. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand state, India. Date: 2 February 2022. |
Brown prionid, Orthosoma brunneum, subfamily Prioninae, family Cerambycidae. □ The photo at right shows a close-up of the brown prionid, and makes evident the small spines extending from the pronotum (the shield covering the thorax). Also note the large jaws on this big beetle. The beetle is not aggressive, but if it is provoked (especially if it is cornered and can’t get away), it will defend itself as best it can and might even bite. Photographed by: Dave Delman. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Tucson, Arizona, U.S. Date: 5 January, 2018. Dave says, “It was really big!” KnowYourInsects.org says, “Yes, they can reach almost 2 inches long (nearly 5 cm)!” |
Brown Prionid, Orthosoma brunneum, subfamily Prioninae, family Cerambycidae. □ The brown prionid can grow to between 1–1.9 inches long (2.5–4.8 cm), so it’s a good-sized beetle! Photographed by: Rob Fox. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Ross (near Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania, USA. Date: 4 August, 2017. Rob says, “It was approx. 1.5" (almost 4 cm) in length.” |
Prionus integer (no specific common name), male, subfamily Prioninae, family Cerambycidae. □ The thick appendages at the head of this male Prionus integer may look like claws in this photo, but they are actually antennae, and quite an amazing set of antennae they are! To see them unfurled, click here (BugGuide). The female’s antennae are much thinner. Photographed by: Josh Neilson. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: East Carbon, Utah, USA. Date: 11 July, 2022. Joshua described it as 1.5-2 inches (3.8-5 cm) in length |
A root borer, possibly a live-oak root borer (Archodontes melanopus), subfamily Prioninae, family Cerambycidae. □ Without a bit more detail in the photo, it is difficult to identify the species. A possibility is the live-oak root borer (Archodontes melanopus). Photographed and identified to subfamily by: Kirsten Kischuk. Location: Orlando, Florida. Date: 29 October, 2019. Kirsten says it was about as long as her thumbnail. |
Palo verde root borer, Derobrachus hovorei, female, subfamily Prioninae, family Cerambycidae. □ As show above, the Palo Verde root borer is large, black and has little spikes on its pronotum (the shield covering the thorax). Note: This species is sometimes erroneously listed as Derobrachus geminatus. Photographed by: Jon Mullen. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Date: 16 July, 2019. Jon says this beetle, which he estimated as being about 2.5 inches long (6.3 cm), greeted him in his living room. |
Grain support beetle, Aegosoma scabricorne, subfamily Prioninae, family Cerambycidae. □ As shown here, the grain support beetle is a large insect — one of the largest in Europe — with evident but low ridges running down its elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen). It is often found in or around dead or dying trees. □ Its distribution includes much of southern Europe and Asia, although its numbers are declining in central Europe. Photographed by: Liliana Baclea. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Constanta, Romania. Date: 31 July, 2020. |
A longicorn beetle, possibly Acanthophorus serraticornis (no specific common name), female, subfamily Prioninae, family Cerambycidae. □ The male adult longicorn beetle has longer mandibles than the female (the female is pictured here). Including his mandibles, which can be 0.8 inches (2.1 cm) in length, the male can reach 4.5 inches (11.5 cm) long, according to researchers. Photographed and identified to family by: Surabhika Panda. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Navsari, Gujarat, India. Date: 12 July, 2019. Surabhika found it in a mango orchard. |
Callipogon sericeus (no specific common name), female, subfamily Prioninae, family Cerambycidae. □ As shown above, the adult female Callipogon sericeus can reach 3 inches (7.5 cm) in body length. The male is smaller. See the comment below for a fun description of this large beetle. Photographed by: Juraj Bajgar. Submitted by: Clara Bajgar. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: in the mountains about two hours outside San Juan, Puerto Rico. Date: 13 May, 2019. Clara says, “The bug is moving, thus not in focus. The wings are nicely patterned and it has a few symmetrical white dots on the ‘torso.’ ... After making (the photo) lighter and sharper, it looks like a roach dressed up for a wedding.” |
Solenoptera bilineata (no specific common name), subfamily Prioninae, family Cerambycidae. □ Often big insects get a lot of attention, but Solenoptera bilineata languishes in obscurity, despite its large size: about 2 inches (5 m) from tip of the antennae to the rear end. In fact, little has been written about the entire genus, beyond noting that their larvae bore into trees. The species Solenoptera bilineata and Solenoptera thomae are very similar: see the slight differences here (Harvard University webpage). Photographed by: Carlo Castoro. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Date: 23 February, 2022. |
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□ Bird and mammal species each have their own common names, but many insects do not. Part of the reason is in the numbers. The Earth holds about 10,000 species of birds and 6,400 species of mammals. The number of known insect species is more than a million with thousands more being discovered every year. |
Mallodon downesii (no specific common name), female, subfamily Prioninae, family Cerambycidae. □ Mallodon downesii may be either dark reddish-brown in color, or black. They are large beetles ranging up to 2.5 inches (about 6.5 cm), not counting the antennae. Adult females, like this one, lay their eggs in rotting wood. The male has longer and more curved jaws. Photographed and identified as a long-horned beetle by: Nelson Amejuma. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. Date: 6 December, 2021. |
Hardwood stumpborer, Mallodon dasystomus, subfamily Prioninae, family Cerambycidae.□ The hardwood stumpborer may be either black or dark reddish brown, and has two large shiny patches on the pronotum (the shield covering the thorax), which is otherwise rather dull-looking. Photographed by: Judie Kahn. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Date: 1 June, 2020. Location: Houston, Texas, USA. Judie says, “Only saw one. It was in a tub of water. Thought it was dead and took it out. About 10 minutes later it started to move around. I hate to kill anything so I put it in an empty lot with trees. Later, it was gone.” |
Perissus laetus (no specific common name), subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Perissus laetus is one of the round-necked longhorned beetles in the subfamily Cerambycinae. The “round-necked” portion of its name actually refers to the round shape of its pronotum (the shield covering the thorax). This species has a distinctive pattern of loops and spots on its elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen). Click on the photos to see an enlarged version. Photographed and identified by: Eric Blehaut. Great ID, Eric! Location: Wat Tanot, Changwat Nonthaburi, Thailand. Date: 29 August, 2023. |
Elytra is the scientific term for the forewings of all beetles (the order Coleoptera). Elytra is a Greek word for sheath, and refers to the usually hardened, sheath-like construction of beetle forewings. The elytra cover membranous hindwings that are folded below until they are needed for flight. |
Mimusop stem borer, Pachyteria dimidiata, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The black, sometimes blue-black, of the mimusop stem borer’s body is splashed with a bold yellow band across its back. It also has half-yellow antennae. □ This wood-boring species is considered a pest on trees in the genus Mimusops, including Spanish cherry (Mimusops elengi). Photographed by: Elaine Low. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Date: 2 May, 2020. Location: Malaysia. |
Rustic borer, Xylotrechus colonus, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ This rustic borer has gorgeous patterning on its elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen). Its larvae bore into hardwood trees, such as hickory. Note: It was formerly listed under the genus Clytus. Photographed by: Amy Jones. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Milford, Sussex County, Delaware, USA. Date: 6 May, 2017. Amy says, “I’ve never seen anything like this before. It showed up in our house yesterday.” |
Rustic borer, Xylotrechus colonus, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ A characteristic of the rustic borer is the thin, white or cream-colored, undulating line in about the middle of its back (as shown above), along with the two broader black bands at the center and toward the tip of the elytra (the hardened forewings that cover the abdomen). See the photographer’s comment to see the startling way she became acquainted with these beetles. Photographed by: Christina Sun. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: East Marion, Long Island, New York, USA. Date: 13 April, 2020. Christina says, “This is the sixth one that just falls on my head while sitting the table for a meal. It looks like a Peking opera mask!” |
Xylotrechus smei (no specific common name), subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ To see the subtle differences between Xylotrechus smei, shown above, and the closely related species Xylotrechus stebbingi, click here. Neither species has a specific common name. Photographed by: Syed Gazanfar. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Kashmir, India. Date: 23 April, 2018. |
 Anelaphus moestus (no specific common name), subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Individual Anelaphus moestus are often much darker brown than the the one shown above. Note: At one time, the species name was different: Anoplium pinorum. Photographed by: Phillippe Saieed. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: North Carolina, USA. Date: 25 June, 2019. |
Eucalyptus borer, also known as a eucalyptus long-horned borer, Phoracantha recurva, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Eucalyptus borers are native to Australia and Papua New Guinea, but are now found in warmer climates in South America, North America, Africa, and Europe (including Italy where this photo was taken). It attacks eucalyptus trees, and particularly those trees that are stressed. □ To learn more and to compare it to a similar-looking and closely related species (Phoracantha semipunctata) click here (a University of California website). Photographed by: Mari C. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Sardinia, Italy. Date: 1 December, 2019. Upon learning its identity, Mari says, “Then it comes from the Eucalyptus wood that I have at home for the stove!” |
Eucalyptus borer, also known as a eucalyptus long-horned borer, Phoracantha recurva, male, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The eucalyptus borer made its way from Australia to southern California in 1995 — this one was found in southern California — and is now found throughout the state. The male, seen here, has little spine-like setae (insect “hairs”) on the antennae. Photographed by: Preston David. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Fullerton, southern California. Date: 10 June, 2020. Preston says he found four of these beetles in his home. |
Obrium circumflexum (no specific common name), subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Obrium circumflexum is yellow/tan with two brown stripes on its pronotum and brown chevrons on its elytra (the hardened forewings covering its abdomen). Photographed and identified to order by: Bárbara Escudero Alejos. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Lima, Peru. Date: 20 December, 2017. Bárbara says, “I took this photo next to my bathroom at midday, but the day before it was walking over my arm.” |
Monkeypod round-headed borer, Xystrocera globosa, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ A close look at this monkeypod round-headed borer reveals a dark stripe running down each of its elytra (the hardened forewings covering its abdomen). It bores into monkeypod trees (Samanea saman, which were introduced to and now grow in many parts of Hawaii, where this photo was taken. Photographed by: Rikita Turner. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Oahu, Hawaii, USA. Date: 20 September, 2017. Rikita says, “This was in my ceiling.” |
Monkeypod round-headed borer, Xystrocera globosa, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The monkeypod round-headed borer can easily grow to 3.2 cm (1.3 inches) long, and that is just the body. With the antennae, it can be twice that length. Native to southern Asia, this species has spread to warm climates around the world. Photographed by: Juraj Bajgar. Submitted by: Clara Bajgar. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico. Date: 6 September, 2018. Clara notes the “black ‘eye brows.’ |
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Wasp borer, also known as a western ash borer, Neoclytus conjunctus, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The wasp borer is a species of high elevations in the western U.S. and up into Canada (see the comment below). Its common name is a good one: the yellow patterning gives the impression of a wasp; and it makes boreholes, like those shown at right in a piece of wood. Photographed by: Todd Phelps. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Humboldt County, California, USA. Date: 17 June, 2012. Todd found this beetle at 2,412 feet elevation near the coast. |
Wasp borer, also known as a western ash borer, Neoclytus conjunctus, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The pattern on the pronotum (the shield covering the thorax) of this wasp borer is evident in this photo. The wasp borer is also known as a western ash borer because the larvae are particular pests of dead and dying ash trees, although they also infest oak and arbutus. Photographed by: Arnold Lundwall. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Montana, USA. Date: 20 February, 2019. |
Red-headed ash borer, Neoclytus acuminatus, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The larvae of the red-headed ash borer bore into mainly dead or dying hardwood trees, including ash, especially trees that have already fallen. □ A few features of this beetle include the reddish coloration on the front half of the body, the pattern of yellow stripes on its elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen), and the thickened tips on its antennae. Photographed by: Emily Pierce. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Manassas, Virginia, USA. Date: 23 July, 2019. |
Banded ash borer, Neoclytus caprea, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The banded ash borer feeds on sapwood of ash, sometimes hickory and oak, in diseased/stressed, dying, dead (or cut) trees. Females lay their eggs on the bark of these trees, the larvae eventually bore into the tree, and they survive the winter as pupae, transforming into adults and emerging in the early spring. Pupa will transform earlier — in winter months — in firewood that is kept indoors. Most people see banded ash borers in their homes in the winter for this reason. Photographed by: Arthur Dabrowski. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Greenwood Lake, New Jersey, USA. Date: 27 January, 2019. |
 Gray-winged neoclyt-borer, Neoclytus scutellaris, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The gray-winged neoclyt-borer is distinguished from similar-looking species by the yellow band across the pronotum (the shield covering the thorax). Its larvae bore into in oak and hickory trees. Photographed by: Christin McMahon. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: McKinney, Texas, USA. Date: 2 July, 2018. Christin found this on her couch, and says, “At first I thought it was some sort of bee, then butterfly — it is rather weak, only somewhat moving its front legs.” |
 Cabbage palm longhorn beetle, Osmopleura chamaeropis, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Rather distinctive with the black-and-white striped pronotum (the shield covering the thorax), the cabbage palm longhorn beetle feeds on cabbage palms (also known as sabal palmetto). Although it is not especially widespread, it can become quite numerous in small areas. Photographed by: Brooke Almiron. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Oviedo, Florida, USA. Date: 25 April, 2020. Brooke found this beetle on her porch. She says, “Thanks so much for identifying it for me. I was going crazy trying to find it and Google had nothing for me.” KnowYourInsects.org says, “Glad we could help!” |
Ivory-marked long-horned beetle, Eburia quadrigeminata, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The doubled light-colored markings are especially noticeable — and elongated — in this beautiful specimen of ivory-marked long-horned beetle. Photographed by: Windy Bond. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. Date: 19 June, 2018. |
Ivory-marked long-horned beetle, Eburia quadrigeminata, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Location, location, location! The United States is home to several quite similar-looking species in the genus Eburia, but only one is common in the cooler climate of the central to northeastern U.S.: the ivory-marked long-horned beetle. Photographed by: Lorenzo Ray Saenz. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Thaxton, Virginia, USA. Date: 4 August, 2022. Lorenzo says, “It was shocking to see it wandering around the sewing room!” |
Longhorn beetle in the genus Eburia, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Longhorn beetles in the genus Eburia sometimes lack the ivory markings, but they retain other features, such as the heavily notched eyes that look almost like the letter “C,” and the two small black bumps on the pronotum (the shield covering the thorax). This might be a lesser ivory-marked beetle (Eburia mutica). Photographed and identified to family by: Manzeal Khanal. Identified to genus by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Uvalde, Texas, USA. Date: 9 August, 2019. |
White oak branch girdler, Purpuricenus paraxillaris, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ A couple of the features that set this white oak branch girdler apart from other orange and black beetles in the long-horned beetle family include the small spine on either side of its pronotum (the shield covering the thorax), the wide-spaced ridges on its elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen), and the small ridge running down the center of the pronotum. Photographed and identified to order by: Jennifer Miller. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Williamsport, Susquehanna Valley, Pennsylvania, USA. Date: 19 June, 2021. |
Purpuricenus laetus (no specific common name), subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Purpuricenus laetus is a standout with its red, bold yellow, and black coloration. Note also the ridges on the elytra. Photographed by: Andrea Holbova. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Date: 9 November, 2021. Andrea says this beetle’s body was about 3-4 cm long. |
 Banded alder borer, Rosalia funebris, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The banded alder borer is black and white or (blue-tinged white) with bands on its antennae and on its elytra, and a large black spot in the center of a white pronotum (the shield covering the thorax). It is sometimes attracted to wet paint (Washington University), possibly because its smell may be like the beetle’s own pheromones. Photographed by: Michael Toombs. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Wenatchee, Washington, USA. Date: 22 July, 2018. Peggy says, “ I’ve never seen one before.” |
Rosalia longicorn, also known as the alpine longhorn beetle, Rosalia alpina, female, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □Seen in person, the rosalia longicorn has a bluish tint. According to Beetle Fauna of Germany, this attractive beetle is becoming increasingly rare due to beech deforestation and the removal of dead wood from forests. The female (shown here) has tufts of setae (insect “hairs”) at the black segments of most of her antennae. The male has thinner antennae without the tufts. Photographed by: Ian Ryding. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: central-western France. Date: 21 July, 2019. |
 Bellamira scalaris (no specific common name), subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Bellamira scalaris has an hourglass-like shape to its elytra and an extended abdomen that peeks out beyond the wings. This species has quite a bit of variation in the amount of dark blotching on its elytra from one individual to the next. Photographed by: Anonymous. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: northeastern USA. Date: 31 July, 2019. |
Tiger longhorn, Aridaeus thoracicus, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Even from a distance, the tiger longhorn can be identified from the pattern on its elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen). Most have a pronotum (the shield covering the thorax) that is orange-brown in the center and black around the edges, but some have an all-black pronotum. Its larvae get into and eat wood from a wide variety of trees. Photographed by: Laurie Kemp. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: New South Wales, Australia. Date: 1 January, 2023. Laurie noticed it was feeding on pollen, and it is indeed a pollinator, especially of myrtle (in the genus Myrtus). |
Achenoderus octomaculatus (no specific common name), subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ With its red head, pronotum (the shield covering the thorax) and legs; white-spotted elytra, and very unusual fringed antennae (see enlarged photo at right), Achenoderus octomaculatus is quite a stunning species. The photographer estimated its body at about 2 inches (5 cm) long. Photographed by: Anita Schiller Terry. Submitted by: Elizabeth Demetriades. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Patagonia, South America. Date: 29 October, 2020. Elizabeth says, “An awesome beetle indeed!” |
Red oak borer, Enaphalodes rufulus, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The red oak borer has thick but short yellow pubescence (fuzz) that covers most of its body. The pubescence sometimes rubs off (as shown), revealing the brown color beneath. Females lay eggs mainly on oak trees (sometimes maples), the larvae spend their first and second years tunneling and eating wood, before finally pupating. Adults emerge from late spring into summer. Photographed by: Sandra Salinero. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Tabor City, North Carolina, USA. Date: 17 June, 2021. Sandra says, “This house has been known to have wood borer beetles in its large beams, but none have been heard or seen for many years.” |
Trachyderes succinctus (no specific common name), subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Trachyderes succinctus is distinctive with the single, white to cream band across its back, and the yellow-and-black banded legs and antennae. It is considered a pest of African mahogany trees (Khaya ivorensis), as its larvae bore into the tree trunks. Photographed by: Pedro Paulo Lana. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Date: 24 August, 2021. Pedro says, “This insect was found when I opened my bedroom window. I found it so surprising and beautiful.” |
Sal heartwood borer, Hoplocerambyx spinicornis, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The sal heartwood borer has a sculpted pronotum (the shield covering the thorax) with a wrinkled appearance. Its species name of spinicornis refers to spines that arise between the segments of its antennae. The spines are not visible in this photo. □ The sal heartwood borer, also known simply as a sal borer, is a major pest of sal trees (Shorea robusta), which grow South Asia and Southeast Asia. Photographed by: Amit S. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India. Date: 6 May, 2021. Amit says, “ It rained during summer here for past three days and guess that’s how this guy was spotted.” He described it as approximately 2 inches (5 cm) in length. |
El guitarrero, Compsocerus violaceus, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The name el guitarrero is Spanish for guitar player, apparently a reference to the “music” this beetle makes when it rubs its leg against a hardened section on its elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen). The sound is somewhat like a fast chirping. To hear it, click here (Youtube video). □ The larvae of this beetle bore into branches of a wide variety of trees, including citrus trees, which can cause the branches to break off. For that reason, it is considered an agricultural pest. Photographed by: Moacir Siqueira Jr. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Atibaia, Brasil/Brazil. Date: 21 December, 2021. Moacir found it in his garden. |
Great capricorn beetle, Cerambyx cerdo, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Great capricorn beetles are quite large: at least an inch (2.5 cm) in length. They are dark brown to nearly black, although this individual looks lighter gray in this photo, and they have a bit of a reddish hue at the tips of their elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen). The red is just visible in this image. Photographed by: Cheryl Simpson. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Manchester, UK. Date: 31 March, 2022. Cheryl says, “I found this insect under my indoor log burner.” KnowYourInsects.org guesses it hitched a ride on a load of wood. |
Red-headed beauty, Stenaspis verticalis insignis, subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The red-headed beauty has two subspecies: Stenaspis verticalis insignis, which has a pair of black spots on its pronotum (the shield covering the thorax); and Stenaspis verticalis arizonicus, which has a large black smudge on its pronotum instead. Photographed and identified by: Bryan Bell. Nicely done, Bryan! Location: San Marcos, Texas, USA. Date: 2 October, 2021. Bryan says, “Found on pea gravel outside garden.” |
Euderces picipes (no specific common name), subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. □ A small species, Euderces picipes has a bulbous pronotum (the shield covering the thorax), and a pair of slanted white bands on elytra (the hardened forewings that cover the abdomen). Although most members of this species are dark brown to black, as seen here, some individuals are red. To see the bright-red version, which is similarly about 0.25 inch, or 7 cm in body length, click here (BugGuide). Photographed by: Shannon Acuna. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Clover, South Carolina, USA. Date: 5 April, 2023. |
Lion beetle, Ulochaetes leoninus, subfamily Necydalinae, family Cerambycidae. □ This lion beetle has short, whitish elytra (the hardened forewings), leaving the flight wings exposed. Most other beetle species have longer elytra that conceal the flight wings when at rest. □ This species is sometimes called a flower longhorn or a bumblebee-mimic longhorn. Very little information has been published about it, so this beetle is still holding its secrets :-). Photographed and identified by: Marc Stenberg. Great ID, Marc! Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Date: 3 December, 2020. Marc says he milled some timber, moved it into his shop, and “a few weeks later, I had lion beetles on the window sills. It took me a bit to figure what the heck they were, but I did. LOL” He adds, “That’s a strange-looking critter!” |
Lion beetle, Ulochaetes leoninus, subfamily Necydalinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The flight wings on this lion beetle are quite noticable in this photo. The short, black-and-yellow elytra only cover a bit of the flight wings in this species. Photographed by: Angela George. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Olympic Peninsula, Washington, USA. Date: 26 August, 2022. |
Variable longhorn beetle, Stenocorus meridianus, subfamily Lepturinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The photographer grabbed this shot just before this beetle flew away. Although the angle makes definite identification difficult, this appears to be a variable longhorn beetle. As suggested from the name, their coloration can vary between individuals: some are black, some brown, some reddish. Most have red on their legs, but some have nearly all black legs. Photographed and identified to family by: Meghan Henchliffe. Identified to tentative species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Derby, UK. Date: 27 April, 2022. |
Elderberry borer, sometimes called an elderberry longhorn, Desmocerus palliatus, subfamily Lepturinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The elderberry borer has antennae with segments that noticeably widen at one end, which give the antennae an overall jagged appearance. It also has an orange front half on each elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen). Photographed by: Joe Kerwin. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Southwest Missouri, USA. Date: 27 August, 2020. Joe says, “It was on my elderberry bush.” |
Flower long-horned beetle, Strangalia strigosa, subfamily Lepturinae, family Cerambycidae. □ This species of flower long-horned beetle is long, thin and tapered toward the rear. It is native to Florida (where this photo was taken), and that is its only location in the United States. Photographed by: Marv Goldberg. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Tamarac, Florida, USA. Date: 20 April, 2021. |
Yellow velvet long-horned beetle, Lepturobosca chrysocoma, subfamily Lepturinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Look closely to see the very distinctive gold-colored “velvet,” which scientists call pubescence, on the pronotum (the shield covering the thorax) and elytra (the forewings covering the abdomen) of this yellow velvet long-horned beetle. Photographed by: Dave Delman, M.D. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org with help from Audrey Maran. Location: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. Date: 4 July, 2017. |
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□ Would you like a list of all the beetle/Coleoptera families in one handy place? We made one for you! To see it, click here. |
 Red-shouldered pine borer, also known as a red-shouldered beetle Stictoleptura canadensis, female, subfamily Lepturinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Most of the red-shouldered pine borers are black with red “shoulders” on the elytra. Occasionally, however, the female will have all-red elytra, as this one does. As seen above, adults typically have black-and-white banded antennae. Photographed by: Dave Hare. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Location: Nova Scotia, Canada. Date: 2022. |
Red-brown long-horned beetle, Stictoleptura rubra, male, subfamily Lepturinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The male red-brown long-horned beetle has an all-black head and pronotum (the shield covering the thorax), and tan elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen). The female is reddish- to orangish-brown on her head, pronotum and elytra — it is her coloration that gives this species its common name of red-brown long-horned beetle. It has been introduced to the United Kingdom, and is now often found in gardens there. Photographed and identified by: Éireann. Excellent ID, Éireann! Location: Colombia. Date: 11 July, 2019. |
Trigonarthris proximas (no specific common name), subfamily Lepturinae, family Cerambycidae. □ Trigonarthris proximas has some fuzz on its pronotum (the shield covering the thorax). Photographed and identified by: Leslie Mertz. Location: Kalkaska County, Michigan, USA. Date: 17 June, 2012. |
Spotted long-horned beetle, also known as a black-and-yellow longhorn, Rutpela maculata, subfamily Lepturinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The black markings about a third of the way back on the wings of this spotted long-horned beetle can be quite variable. In some individuals, the markings may be almost absent, and in others, they can form a small heart shape (as shown here), or may be quite large. □ Note: The genus name has been updated from Strangalia to Rutpela. Photographed and identified by: Iggy Tavares. Great ID, Iggy! Location: Lloyds Park, Croydon, UK. Date: 18 September, 2018. |
Spotted long-horned beetle, also known as a black-and-yellow longhorn, Rutpela maculata, subfamily Lepturinae, family Cerambycidae. □ This spotted long-horned beetle has a quite large and angular pattern in the marking about a third of the way back on the wings. □ Note: The genus name has been updated from Strangalia to Rutpela. Photographed and identified by: Bryan Wenham-Baker. Well done, Bryan! Location: Ivybridge, South Hams, South Devon, England, UK. Date: 6 July, 2019. Bryan says, “On my ‘excursion’ this morning I came across a first for me.” KnowYourInsects.org says, “Way to go, Bryan! And nice job on the ID!” |
Douglas fir beetle, also known as yellow Douglas fir borer, Centrodera spurca, subfamily Lepturinae, family Cerambycidae. □ One of the distinguishing characteristics of the Douglas fir beetle is the pair of tiny black dots about midway down the outer side of both elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen). The larvae of this beetle make tunnels under the bark of Douglas fir trees. Photographed and identified to order by: Carson Wille. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Near the Alsea River in the Siuslaw forest, mid-coast Oregon, USA. Date: 16 June, 2016. Carson says, “We found the beetle at our house.... It was around 1.5 inches long.” |
A flower longhorn, possibly Centrodera sublineata (no specific common name), subfamily Lepturinae, family Cerambycidae. □ This flower longhorn is possibly the species Centrodera sublineata (no specific common name). Photographed to family by: Mike Toombs. Identified to possible species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Fluvanna, Texas, USA. Date: 5 July, 2018. Mike described the area where he found this insect as “the arid west Texas region with mesquite-infested rangeland and cotton/wheat/grain sorghum production.” |
Black-spotted long-horned beetle, also known as black-spotted long-horned beetle, Rhagium mordax, subfamily Lepturinae, family Cerambycidae. □ This black-spotted long-horned beetle has shorter antennae than most of the beetles in this family. The pattern on its elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen) is reminescent of a marled wool sweater. Photographed by: Daryl Fleming. Submitted by: Helen Williams. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Woodleigh, Devon, UK. Date: 7 May, 2018. Helen says, “Found this chap in a garden.” She adds, “It’s a lovely looking one.” KnowYourInsects.org agrees! |
Black-tipped long-horned beetle, Stenelytrana emarginata, subfamily Lepturinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The black-tipped long-horned beetle has just a bit of black on the ends of its elytra (the hardened forewings covering the abdomen) to match the black on the rest of its body. It is a rather large beetle with a body length of about 1-1.25 inches (2.5-3.2 cm). Photographed by: Don Lawson. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: northeastern Pennsylvania, USA. Date: 20 August, 2022. Don spotted this beetle on his deck. He adds, “I saved it from being eaten by my cat.” Nice rescue, Don! |
Ladder-marked flower longhorn, Bellamira scalaris, male, subfamily Lepturinae, family Cerambycidae. □ This ladder-marked flower longhorn has a light-on-dark pattern on its elytra, and reddish antennae. Photographed by: Rick Caballero. Identified to subfamily by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Saint Zotique, Quebec, Canada. Date: 17 July, 2021. |
Ladder-marked flower longhorn, Bellamira scalaris, male, subfamily Lepturinae, family Cerambycidae. □ This ladder-marked flower longhorn has a muted but still noticeable pattern on its elytra (the hardened forewings covering its abdomen). The male (shown here) has a longer abdomen than the female, and more of his abdomen is visible at the rear. Photographed by: Emily Ballard. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Holly, Michigan, USA. Date: 3 July, 2023. Emily says, “Its color was a bit iridescent, but more bronze/gold.” |
Fairy-ring longhorn beetle, Pseudovadonia livida, subfamily Lepturinae, family Cerambycidae. □ The fairy-ring longhorn beetle had red or orange elytra with a slightly darker triangular section near the base. Females lay their eggs in soil where fairy-ring mushrooms grow. According to folklore, the mushrooms (Marasmius oreades grow in a circle to reflect the round dance of mythological fairies. To read more about fungi and fairy circles, click here (Utah State University Intermountain Herbarium). Photographed and identified to family by: Jean-Louis Metzger. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Oxford, England, UK. Date: 5 July, 2020. |
Long-horned beetle, family Cerambycidae. Photographed by: Leah McPherson. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Highland, Michigan, USA. Date: 25 July, 2016. Leah says, “It crawled in front of me and I attempted to catch it and when I did it made a very unnerving sound, like a creepy cricket.” |
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