Beetles

• Distinctive shiny black body with white spots
• Long antennae up to twice body length
• Adults range 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm)

Life Cycle:

• Four stages: egg, larva, pupa, adult
• Females lay eggs in bark depressions
• Larvae tunnel and feed on wood, creating galleries
• Pupation occurs inside trees; adults chew exit holes

Host Trees:

• Targets hardwoods: maples, birches, poplars, willows
• Causes significant damage leading to decline or death

Damage:

• Larval feeding disrupts vascular systems
• Results in wilting, leaf yellowing, branch dieback

• Elongated, soft-bodied insects
• Colors: metallic blue, green, yellow, red, or black
• Some species have distinctive patterns on wing covers

Diet:

• Adults feed on flowers, leaves, pollen
• Larvae often parasitic on grasshopper eggs or bee nests

Cantharidin Production:

• Produces toxic defense chemical
• Causes skin blisters upon contact
• Lethal when ingested by predators

Habitat:

• Grasslands, meadows, agricultural areas
• Attracted to flowering plants

Interaction with Livestock:

• Cantharidin toxic to animals
• Ingestion in hay can cause illness or death

• Small, oval-shaped insects
• 2 to 5 millimeters in length
• Species include black, varied, and furniture carpet beetles

Diet:

• Larvae consume wool, silk, feathers, leather, fur, stored foods
• Adults feed on nectar and pollen

Damage:

• Larvae damage textiles, carpets, clothing, natural fiber items
• May infest stored grains, cereals, pantry items

Habitat:

• Homes, museums, indoor environments
• Areas with abundant preferred food sources

• Small: 2 to 3 millimeters long
• Compact, oval-shaped body
• Light to reddish-brown coloration

Habitat:

• Stored tobacco, grains, cereals, dried fruits, spices
• Pet food, dried flowers, museum specimens

Diet:

• Larvae feed on tobacco, cereals, spices, dried fruits
• Target plant-origin products

Damage:

• Larvae tunnel and feed on stored products
• Causes contamination and quality loss

• Elongated, flattened body
• 0.5 to 1.5 inches in length
• Brown, black, or metallic hues

Click Mechanism:

• When inverted, bends body and locks spine into groove
• Rapid snap propels beetle airborne to right itself

Habitat:

• Gardens, fields, forests, grasslands
• Soil-dwelling larvae and adults; some attracted to light

Diet:

• Larvae (wireworms) feed on plant roots, seeds, organic matter
• Adults may feed on nectar, pollen, or not feed

• Small: 2 to 3.5 millimeters long
• Elongated, cylindrical with humpbacked appearance
• Reddish-brown with fine hairs

Habitat:

• Stored products: grains, cereals, spices, dried fruits, nuts, pet food, tobacco
• Books, leather, museum specimens

Diet:

• Larvae feed on grains, cereals, dried fruits, organic materials

Damage:

• Contamination and product quality loss
• Packaging damage; dust and frass formation

• Variable sizes
• Flattened body, long legs, prominent mandibles
• Black, brown, metallic, or distinctive patterns

Habitat:

• Forests, grasslands, agricultural fields, gardens, urban areas
• Ground-dwelling hunters and shelter-seekers

Diet:

• Primarily predatory: insects, larvae, slugs, snails
• Some species scavenge decaying organic matter

• Half-inch long adults
• Metallic green body with copper-brown wing covers
• Six white hair tufts per side
• Larvae: C-shaped, cream-colored with brown head

Feeding Habits:

• Voracious feeders attacking over 300 plant species
• Feed on leaves, flowers, fruits; skeletonize leaf tissue between veins

Host Plants:

• Roses, grapes, apples, cherries, peaches, soybeans, ornamentals

Damage to Lawns:

• Grubs feed on grass roots causing brown patches
• Managed with insecticides or biological controls

• Small: 1/8 to 1/4 inch long
• Cylindrical or flattened
• Reddish-brown to black

Diet:

• Larvae feed on hardwoods: oak, hickory, ash, walnut
• Species prefer either sapwood or heartwood

Damage:

• Small round exit holes in wood surface
• Fine, powdery frass around holes
• Mainly cosmetic; can compromise structural integrity over time

Common Types:

• Anobiidae: Common furniture beetle (Anobium Punctatum)
• Lyctidae: Lyctid powderpost beetle (Lyctus Brunneus)
• Bostrichidae: False Powderpost Beetles