the most diverse group of organisms on earth – over 300,000 species

The most diverse group of The most diverse group of organisms on Earth – over organisms on Earth – over

300,000 species300,000 species

Virus (1000)Bacteria (4760)Fungi (46983)Algae (26900)Plants (248428)Protozoa (30800)Worms (48000)Molluscs (50000)Insects (751000)Other arthropods (123161)Vertebrates (43853)

Total 1,392,485Total 1,392,485

# of described species of organisms on # of described species of organisms on EarthEarth

# of # of insectinsect species in N. America: species in N. America:ca. 90,000ca. 90,000

# of # of beetlebeetle species: ca. 30,000 species: ca. 30,000# of families: 111# of families: 111

mandiblesmandibles

antennaeantennae

elytra elytra (hard (hard fore wings)fore wings)

membraneousmembraneoushind wingshind wings

abdomenabdomen

Beetle structureBeetle structure

Rove beetles – StaphylinidaeRove beetles – StaphylinidaeThe largest family of beetles in N. AmericaThe largest family of beetles in N. America

3,100 species3,100 species

Curculio elephasCurculio elephas European Chestnut WeevilEuropean Chestnut Weevil

Weevils – CurculionidaeWeevils – CurculionidaeThe largest family of beetles (and probably animals) in the worldThe largest family of beetles (and probably animals) in the world

Second largest in North AmericaSecond largest in North America2,500 species2,500 species

Weevils can be pests (alfalfa weevil) or Weevils can be pests (alfalfa weevil) or beneficial (attacking invasive weeds)beneficial (attacking invasive weeds)

Hypera posticaHypera postica – Alfalfa weevil – Alfalfa weevil

Ground beetles - CarabidaeGround beetles - Carabidae

Calosoma scrutatorCalosoma scrutator

Caterpillar hunter

Third largest family in N. America – 1,700 speciesThird largest family in N. America – 1,700 species

Chlaenius sp.Chlaenius sp.

Vivid metallic ground beetleVivid metallic ground beetle

Ground beetles - CarabidaeGround beetles - Carabidae

Bluemargined ground beetleBluemargined ground beetle

Pasimachus elongatus Pasimachus elongatus

Ground beetles - CarabidaeGround beetles - Carabidae

Big sand tiger beetleBig sand tiger beetle

Tiger beetles - CicindelidaeTiger beetles - Cicindelidae

Cicindela formosaCicindela formosa

Cicindela willistoniCicindela willistoni

Tiger beetles - CicindelidaeTiger beetles - Cicindelidae

Tiger beetles and Ground beetles are active predatorsTiger beetles and Ground beetles are active predators

Cicindela sexguttataCicindela sexguttata

Six-spotted Green Tiger beetleSix-spotted Green Tiger beetle

Tiger beetles - CicindelidaeTiger beetles - Cicindelidae

Leaf beetles - ChrysomelidaeLeaf beetles - ChrysomelidaeFourth largest family in N. America – 1,500 speciesFourth largest family in N. America – 1,500 species

Leaf beetles - ChrysomelidaeLeaf beetles - ChrysomelidaeMany pests belong to this familyMany pests belong to this family

Colorado potato beetleColorado potato beetle

Leaf beetles - ChrysomelidaeLeaf beetles - Chrysomelidae

Potato flea beetlePotato flea beetle

Northern corn root wormNorthern corn root worm

Western corn root wormWestern corn root worm

Spotted cucumber beetleSpotted cucumber beetle

Phanaeus sp.Phanaeus sp.

Scarab beetles - ScarabaeidaeScarab beetles - ScarabaeidaeFifth largest family in N. America – 1,400 speciesFifth largest family in N. America – 1,400 species

Scarab beetles - ScarabaeidaeScarab beetles - Scarabaeidae

Canthon sp.Canthon sp. Dung beetlesDung beetles

Japanese Beetle (Popillia punctata)

Scarab beetles - ScarabaeidaeScarab beetles - Scarabaeidae

Cotinis nitidaCotinis nitida

Scarab beetles - ScarabaeidaeScarab beetles - Scarabaeidae

Green June beetleGreen June beetle

Larvae – “grubs”Larvae – “grubs”

Scarab beetles - ScarabaeidaeScarab beetles - Scarabaeidae

Rhinoceros beetleRhinoceros beetle

00 8 in 8 in

Goliath beetle – the largest beetle in the worldGoliath beetle – the largest beetle in the world

Stag beetles – LucanidaeStag beetles – Lucanidae

Larvae develop for up to Larvae develop for up to 5 years in decaying wood5 years in decaying wood

Darkling beetles – TenebrionidaeDarkling beetles – Tenebrionidae

Sixth largest family of beetles in North AmericaSixth largest family of beetles in North America1,300 species1,300 species

Longhorned beetles - CerambycidaeLonghorned beetles - Cerambycidae

Plectrodera scalatorPlectrodera scalator

Cottonwood borerCottonwood borer

1,100 species in N. America1,100 species in N. America

Dryobius sexnotatusDryobius sexnotatus

Longhorned beetles - CerambycidaeLonghorned beetles - Cerambycidae

Six-banded longhorned beetleSix-banded longhorned beetle

Small mulberry borerSmall mulberry borer

Longhorned beetles - CerambycidaeLonghorned beetles - Cerambycidae

Dorcaschema alternatumDorcaschema alternatum

Longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae)Longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae)

Elm borerElm borer Elder borerElder borer

Larvae live in woodLarvae live in wood

Saperda tridentataSaperda tridentata Desmocerus palliatusDesmocerus palliatus

Click beetles - ElateridaeClick beetles - Elateridae

AdultAdult Larva – “Wireworm”Larva – “Wireworm”

800 species in N. America800 species in N. America

Metallic wood-boring beetlesMetallic wood-boring beetles- Buprestidae- Buprestidae

700 species in N. America700 species in N. America

Metallic wood-boring beetles - BuprestidaeMetallic wood-boring beetles - Buprestidae

Metallic wood-boring beetles - BuprestidaeMetallic wood-boring beetles - Buprestidae

Bark beetles - ScolytidaeBark beetles - ScolytidaeAbout 500 species in N. AmericaAbout 500 species in N. America

Mountain pine beetleMountain pine beetle

Dendroctonus ponderosaeDendroctonus ponderosae

Bark beetles - ScolytidaeBark beetles - Scolytidae

Mountain pine beetle damageMountain pine beetle damage

Bark beetle damageBark beetle damage

Soldier beetles - CantharidaeSoldier beetles - CantharidaeAbout 500 species in N. AmericaAbout 500 species in N. America

Lady beetles - CoccinellidaeLady beetles - Coccinellidae

Coleomegilla maculataColeomegilla maculata

Pinkspotted lady beetlePinkspotted lady beetle

400 species in N. America400 species in N. America

Lady beetles - CoccinellidaeLady beetles - Coccinellidae

Pinkspotted lady beetle – efficient biocontrol agentPinkspotted lady beetle – efficient biocontrol agent

Lady beetles - CoccinellidaeLady beetles - Coccinellidae

Lady beetle larva is a ferocious predatorLady beetle larva is a ferocious predator

Blister beetles - MeloidaeBlister beetles - Meloidae330 species in N. America330 species in N. America

Blister beetles - MeloidaeBlister beetles - Meloidae PESTS or ALLIES?PESTS or ALLIES?

•Toxic to horses – may poison hayToxic to horses – may poison hay•Natural enemies of grasshoppersNatural enemies of grasshoppers

Carrion beetles - SilphidaeCarrion beetles - Silphidae

Burying beetlesBurying beetles

Nicrophorus spp. Nicrophorus spp.

50 species in N. America50 species in N. America

Silpha americanaSilpha americana

Carrion beetles - SilphidaeCarrion beetles - Silphidae

American carrion beetle – endangered speciesAmerican carrion beetle – endangered species