Coleoptera

• Whirligig Beetle


  Gyrinidae

  • divided sternite
  • hairs of legs for swimming
  • divided eyes

  
• Predaceous Diving Beetle


  Dytiscidae

  • divided sternite
  • leg hairs for swimming
  • entire eyes

  
• Scarab Beetles


  Scarabaeidae

  • undivided sternite
  • lamellae capable of closing

  
• Stag Beetle


  Lucanidae

  • 5 sternites, undivided
  • lamellae not capable of closing
  • antennae elbowed

  
• Weevils (and Bark Beetle)


  Curculionidae (and Scolytidae)

  • antennae not w/ lamellae
  • Weevils: snout
  • Bark Beetles: short, clubbed antennae

  
• Long-horned Beetles


  Cerambycidae

  • antenna at least half as long as body
  • eyes often notched

  
• Leaf Beetle (and Bean Weevils)


  Chrysomelidae (and Bruchidae)

  • Tarsomere 3 clubbed (heart shape), 4th tarsomere concealed
  • Leaf Beetle: antenna less than half of body, eyes often not notched
  • Bean Weevils: shortened elytra w/ pygidium exposed
  • Diverse!

  
• Ground Beetle (and Tiger Beetle)


  Carabidae (and Cicindelidae)

  • Hing legs not modified for swimming (no hairs)
  • Ground Beetle: divide sternites
  • Tiger Beetle: undivided sternites
  • Diverse group!

  
• Water Scavenger Beetle


  Hydrophilidae

  • Maxillary palps
  • Antennae short and clubbed (shorter than maxillary palps)

  
• Blister Beetle


  Meloidae

  • Short maxillary palps
  • Front coxal cavities open

  
• Rove Beetles


  Staphylinidae

  • Elytra short, exposing much of the abdomen

  
• Lady Beetles


  Coccinellidae

  • All tarsi 3 segmented, tarsus 2 flattened and bilobed

  
• Riffle Beetle


  Elmidae

  • At least one tarsus with 4 or more visible segments
  • Tarsomere 5 and claws long; found in running water

  
• Hister Beetles


  Histeridae

  • Abdomen with 5 or fewer sternites
  • Tip of abdomen exposed when viewed from above
  • Antennae short, elbowed
  • Body usually shining black

  
• Sap Beetles


  Nitidulidae

  • Tip of abdomen exposed when viewed from above
  • Antennae straight
  • Body often with orange spots
  • Small

  
• Flat Bark Beetles


  Cucujidae

  • Pronotum narrower than head and laterally rounded
  • Body not covered with thick hairs
  • Very flat

  
• Checkered Beetles


  Cleridae

  • Pronotum narrower than head
  • Body covered with thick hairs; not strongly flattened
  • Shape distinctive

  
• Click Beetles


  Elateridae

  • Pronotum wider than head
  • Prosternum with median process projecting into mesosternum; posterolateral corners of pronotum pointed
  • First 2-3 sternites not fused
  • Not metallic

  
• Metallic Wood Boring Beetles


  Buprestidae

  • Prosternum without median process; posterolateral corners of pronotum not pointed
  • First 2-3 sternites fused (sternite looks twice as long)
  • Body metallic

  
• Carrion Beetle


  Silphidae

  • Abdomen with 6 sternites
  • Tibial spurs large
  • Shape distinctive

  
• Fireflies


  Lampyridae

  • Abdomen with 7 or 8 sternites; tibial spurs small; not shaped like a silphid
  • Head covered by pronotum

  
• Soldier Beetles


  Cantharidae

  • Abdomen with 7 or 8 sternites; tibial spurs small; not shaped like a silphid
  • Head not covered by pronotum

  
• Soft-winged flower beetles


  Melyridae

  • 6 sternite segments
  • Prothorax wider than head
  • Small tibial spurs
  • Distinct shape

  
• Dermestids


  Dermestidae

  • Concealed head
  • 3 segmented antenna and clubbed

  
• Death-watch and spider beetles


  Anobiidae

  • Head concealed
  • Antenna not clubbed

  
• Darkling Beetle



  Tenebrionidae

  • Short maxillary palps
  • Front coxal cavities closed

  
• Bess Beetle 


  
Passalidae

  • 5 sternites, undivided
  • lamellae not capable of closing
  • antennae not elbowed
  • 1 species* has horn on head

  
• Tumbling flower beetles


  Mordellidae

  • Front coxal cavities open
  • Broad prothorax
  • Pointed abdomen
  • Distinct body shape