Lepidoptera Butterflies and Moths

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

• PESTS or ALLIES?
• Toxic to horses may poison hay
• Natural enemies of grasshoppers

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Carrion beetles - Silphidae
50 species in N. America
Nicrophorus spp.
Burying beetles
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Carrion beetles - Silphidae
Silpha americana
American carrion beetle endangered species
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BEETLES !!!