Common Beetles (Order Coleoptera) in the Wichita Mountains and Surrounding Areas Angel A. Chiri Considering the large size of the Coleoptera, few Entomologist beetles have common names recognized by the Entomological Society of America. Those Introduction which do are often agricultural, forest, or stored grain pests, such as the Colorado potato beetle, The beetles belong in the Kingdom Animalia, cotton boll weevil, confused flour beetle, and Phylum Arthropoda, Class Hexapoda (Insecta), Japanese beetle, all of which have been Order Coleoptera. Of the 158 families of extensively studied by entomologists. Relying Coleopteran known to occur in the U.S., 17 are on only common names at the species level may mentioned in this guide. Note that the family lead to confusion, since more than one common name for plants and animals, including insects, name may exist for the same species, or the always ends in "ae." The Coleoptera is the same name may be used for more than one largest insect order, with about 350,000 species species. Using the scientific name, which is the described worldwide. Of the estimated 92,000 same in any language or region, eliminates this species of insects recorded in the United States problem. Furthermore, only scientific names are and Canada, approximately 24,000 are beetles. used in the scientific literature. Common names This guide makes reference to only a few of the are not capitalized. more common and conspicuous beetles found in the area. The numbers of genera and species given for each family are based on Arnett (1993). The scientific name of an organism, whether plant or animal, consists of the genus and species, written in italics. The genus is writen in full the first time that it is mentioned in a paper (e.g. Hippodamia convergens). Thereafter, the genus name is abbreviated to its initial (e.g. H. convergens). If another genus with the same initial is being discussed in the same section, Figure 1. A rainbow scarab both genera are spelled out to avoid confusion. Often, the genus name is written, followed by Body form and structure (morphology) sp. (for one species) or spp. (for more than one species). For example, Hippodamia sp. The body of a beetle consists of three well- indicates that a beetle belongs to the genus defined regions, the head, thorax, and abdomen. Hippodamia, but the writer is not sure about the Head appendages consist of a pair of antennae, species. Hippodamia spp. means that the writer two compound eyes, three simple eyes (the is referring to two or more species in this genus. ocelli), and the mouthparts. The mouthparts consist of a pair of opposable mandibles, a pair 1 of maxillae, an upper labrum, and a lower five to eight times before it is ready to pupate. labium. The mandibles in beetles are designed Each larval stage between molts is known as an for biting. In general, the head points straight instar. For instance, a newly hatched larva is a forward in predaceous beetles and downward in first instar larva. Depending on the species and plant feeding species. The antenna shape, weather conditions, the larval stage may take length, number of segments, and presence and from a few weeks (most species) to as long as 2- form of a terminal club are features used to 3 years (some of the larger scarabs) to complete. identify beetle families. The pupal stage takes from weeks to months before the adult emerges. The thorax in insects consists of three segments, the prothorax (anterior segment, next to the The larval morphology can be highly variable, head), mesothorax (middle segment), and especially at the family level. However, all have metathorax (posterior segment, contiguous to the a well-developed head with functional first abdominal segment). The dorsal sclerite mandibles, most have well developed thoracic (hardened plate) of the prothorax is known as legs, and none has abdominal false legs. For the pronotum. The mesonotum and metanotum instance, ground beetle and rove beetle larvae are the dorsal sclerites of the mesothorax and are elongate, rather cylindrical, and highly metathorax, respectively. mobile. The larvae of lady beetles are active, their body narrows posteriorly, and their legs are A pair of legs arise from each thoracic segment, rather long and protrude sideways. Scarab each consisting of six articulated segments. beetle larvae are c-shaped and have well- Starting with the one attached to the thorax, developed legs. The larvae of weevils or snout these segments are the coxa, trochanter, femur, beetles are also c-shaped, but legless. Those of tibia, tarsus, and pretarsus or claws. Depending wood-boring beetles are mostly legless, rather on the family, the tarsus may have 3, 4, or 5 flat and broad anteriorly, and elongate and segments. The number of tarsal segments is cylindrical posteriorly. Darkling beetle and another feature used to identify families. For click beetle larvae are elongate and cylindrical, instance, a tarsal formula of 5-5-4 indicates that with short, but well-developed legs, and often the anterior and middle pair of legs have five with hardened skin. tarsal segments each, while the posterior pair has only four. Beetles are found in all biotic communities, including deserts, grasslands, savannas, A pair of wings arise from the mesothorax and a chaparral, and forests, as well as in croplands, second pair from the metathorax. In most backyards, gardens, and disturbed areas. Some beetles the anterior wings are hardened, forming families are aquatic and found in lakes, ponds, a case that covers and protects the posterior and other fresh water bodies. Some species are membranous wings and the abdomen. These agricultural pests and others infest stored grain hard wings are known as the elytra. Each wing and other products. is an elytron. Most beetles can fly using their membranous wings. Food habits - The food of coleopterans is highly diverse. Plant feeding species may feed on Beetles undergo a full metamorphosis, passing leaves, stems, fruit, flowers, seeds, or roots. The through egg, larval, and pupal stages before larvae of several families, including Buprestidae becoming adults. The developing larva molts and Cerambycidae, develop in living and dead 2 wood, attacking most forest trees. Predaceous species feed on smaller insects and spiders. Family Cicindelidae (tiger beetles) Their prey is often specific at the family level. For instance, larvae and adults of most lady Tiger beetles have large, bulging eyes, and long, beetles (Coccinellidae) prey on aphids. Other thin legs. The head is wider than the pronotum, lady beetles feed exclusively on plant-eating and the hind margin of the pronotum is narrower mites. The large ground beetles (Carabidae) than the base of the elytra. Both adults and prey on caterpillars and other insect larvae. larvae are predaceous. Their large, sharp mandibles are designed to grasp prey. In the The adults and larvae of several species of adult each mandible is also outfitted with a row aquatic beetles prey on the larvae of other of sharp teeth. Tiger beetles are usually found in aquatic insects. The larvae of some scarab areas with sparse vegetation and sandy soil. beetles feed on animal dung that females bury for their offspring. The larvae and adults in the Tiger beetles are active diurnal hunters, and can family Silphidae feed on carrion and on carrion often be seen running on the ground in search of feeding insects, including fly eggs and larvae. small insects and spiders. If approached, they Some species in the families Dermestidae, quickly run or fly away a short distance, keeping Staphylinidae, and Scarabaeidae also feed on a safe distance from the observer. They are carrion or on carrion feeding insect larvae. seldom still, and capturing or photographing Along with blow flies (Calliphoridae) and flesh them is a challenge. Some species are metallic flies (Sarcophagidae), beetles found in carrion blue or green, often with light spots. Most tiger play a role in forensic investigations. beetles are about ½ inch long, but the two species in the genus Megacephala are about ¾ Some species can be major agricultural pests, inch long, and the Great Plains giant tiger beetle, damaging field, vegetable, and fruit crops; Amblycheila cylindriformis, reaches 1.5 inches. stored grain and other stored products, forest trees, and lumber. Some dermestid beetles can The larva lives in a vertical burrow that it digs in destroy animal and plant museum specimens, sandy or sandy loam soil. It keeps its flat head including insect collections. On the other hand, flush with the ground, blocking the opening. several lady beetles (Coccinellidae) and ground When a small insect or spider approaches, it beetles (Carabidae) have been used as biological leaps at it, often backward, and quickly seizes it control agents. Integrated pest management with its sickle-shaped mandibles. A dorsal programs targeting aphids, scale insects, moth hump on the fifth abdominal segment anchors larvae, and various other crop pests depend the body to the burrow wall, making it difficult largely on the protection and augmentation of to be pulled out by a predator or a strong prey. predaceous and parasitic insects. Of 100 or so tiger beetle species found in the This guide describes some of the more common U.S. and Canada, about 80 are in the genus and conspicuous beetles found in the Wichita Cicindela. The six-spotted tiger beetle, C. Mountains and surrounding areas. All photos in sexguttata, is one of the most common in our this guide were taken by the author using a area. It is shiny metallic green, with three or Canon PowerShot SX110 IS camera. four small white spots on each elytron (Fig. 2). 3 legs and antennae (Fig. 5). It is nocturnal, rather secretive, and seldom flies.