Currently, there are more than 350,000 species of beetles that have been identified! Therefore, recognizing the beetle species is a difficult thing. However, if you find a beetle in your home or outdoors, it's important to identify the beetle species. Start by analyzing the beetle's features carefully, then use its body shape as a reference to determine what species of beetle you're looking for.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Recognizing the Basic Features of Beetles
Step 1. Notice the wing flaps on the back
Beetles have a pair of wings that are protected by a hard covering. These two coverings make the beetle look like it has a hard shell. In addition, these two covers also make a rustling sound when the beetle is stepped on.
If the insect you find is a beetle, its wings will not be visible. The beetle's wings will be visible when the cover is lifted and the wings stick out
Step 2. Pay attention to the mouth at the bottom of the head
Beetles have sharp lower jaws that are used for chewing insects, herbs, fungi, and decaying plants or animals. Watch the bottom of the insect's mouth to make sure it has a sharp mouth.
If the insect has a long protruding mouth that looks like a straw, it is not a beetle
Step 3. Pay attention to the number of insect legs
Beetles have 6 legs that are between the front and back of the body. When it is still a larva, the beetle's entire legs are on the front of its body. Some larvae also have legs that are between the front and back of the body. Count the number of legs of the insect you find to check the position of its legs and make sure it is a beetle.
If an insect has 4, 8, or more legs, it is not a beetle
Method 2 of 3: Recognizing Large Beetles
Step 1. Identify the click beetle by noting its long, slender body and clicking sound
Click beetles, or Elateridae, can click on the front and back of their bodies to make a clicking sound. This movement is also used by the click beetle to turn its body. The click beetle is black or brown in color, and the back of its body has a grooved pattern.
- Adult click beetles can grow to a length of 1.5 to 4 cm.
- Click beetles are a common species of beetle found all over the world. There are more than 900 species of click beetles in North America.
Step 2. Identify the fast-moving, pungent-smelling ground beetle
The ground beetle has a black body with a grooved pattern on its back. Ground beetles also give off a pungent odor. Ground beetles generally live under logs and leaves, but they can also enter your home if there are gaps or open windows. Ground beetles move so fast that it's hard to see them up close.
Ground beetles are harmless animals. Ground beetles eat other insects, but do not bite humans or pets
Step 3. Identify long-horned beetles that have long antennae and settle around dead trees
This beetle is called the long-horned beetle because its antennae look like the horns of a Texas cow. The antennae of the long-horned beetle may be straight, curved, or both. Longhorn beetles are black, brown, green, yellow, red, or a mixture of these colors.
There are 413 species of long-horned beetles in Texas, United States. However, all species of long-horned beetles have almost the same antennae
Step 4. Notice the spoon-shaped head of the beetle, the beetle may be a Hong Kong caterpillar beetle
If the beetle has a round head with a spoon-shaped neck, it may be a Hong Kong caterpillar beetle. Although the name of this beetle is like one of the species of larvae, this insect is still called a beetle. The Hong Kong caterpillar usually lives in the open, but you may find it in sacks of various types of flour.
Place the flour in an airtight container to prevent Hong Kong caterpillar beetles from entering
Step 5. Recognize Hylotrupes Bajulus which has white spots on its wings and large leg segments
When observed closely, Hylotrupes Bajulus has fine gray hair on its back. This beetle also has 3 dark eyes on both sides of its mouth.
This beetle can usually be found in homes aged 4 to 7 years
Method 3 of 3: Recognizing Ladybugs
Step 1. Watch for a black beetle with an elongated belly, it may be a carpet flea
This beetle is probably a black carpet flea. This beetle is generally black or dark brown and its body is oval in shape. Carpet lice can grow from 30 to 40 mm in length.
Carpet fleas of varying colors are the same species as black carpet lice. This beetle has yellow and green hues and can grow up to 30 mm long
Step 2. Notice the beetle with the green and black stripes, which is probably the elm beetle (Xanthogaleruca luteola)
This beetle can grow up to 65 mm long. This beetle feeds on leaves on trees, especially elm leaves. This beetle also lays its eggs on the underside of the leaves.
The elm beetle can damage trees if the population is not controlled. You may have to treat it with pesticides
Step 3. Watch for a brightly colored, black-spotted, rounded beetle, it's probably a koksi beetle
This beetle is also commonly called ladybug, ladybug, and ladybird in some countries. Its body is yellow, orange, or red with black spots, but it can also be black with red, orange, or yellow spots.
There are more than 450 species of cosic beetles in North America
Step 4. Protect the meat from Dermestes lardarius
Dermestes lardarius is a species of beetle that likes to eat smoked meat. This beetle has a whitish silver stripe on its back. This beetle is also oval in shape.
While the meat is being removed, place the meat in a closed container and store it in the refrigerator
Step 5. Notice the cylindrical bark beetle around the firewood
Bark beetles can grow up to 30 mm in length and usually live around wood piles. Bark beetles can also eat away at living trees and kill them.
Bark beetles can make wood dry and die, which can trigger forest fires
Step 6. Identify the wheat beetle by noticing the lines on the wing flaps and the slightly bent head
These beetles are brown and sorrel in color, and can grow from 25 to 35 mm in length. This beetle usually gnaws packaged food.
When the beetle's head is so bent it looks like a hump. The beetle is probably a cigarette beetle. The shape of the cigarette beetle is almost similar to the wheat beetle, but its body looks more stooped
Step 7. Watch for a rust-colored, flat-bodied, short-antennated beetle, it may be a red flour beetle
This beetle is commonly called the Confused flour beetle. Red flour beetles usually eat cornstarch and other packaged foods.
Place the cornstarch and other flour in an airtight container to protect against these pests
Step 8. Check the rice and flour for rice lice
Rice lice can grow up to 30 mm long. The rice louse is brown in color and has a pointed head that looks like a beak. Rice lice have long, slender bodies.
Rice lice generally live in rice and various types of flour. These pests can eat away at plastic and paper. Therefore, it is important to store flour and rice in an airtight glass, metal, or hard plastic container
Step 9. Notice the beetle with the bumps on the sides, it might be Oryzaephilus surinamensis
This beetle can grow up to 30 mm long. The beetle's favorite foods are sunflower seeds and nuts. This beetle can also eat various types of flour.
