Attracted-to-lights
Guides
Phileurus valgus
Phileurus valgus is a small dynastine scarab beetle in the tribe Phileurini, distributed from the southern United States through Central America and into South America. Adults are attracted to lights and have been found under bark of decaying wood. Larvae develop in rotting wood cavities. The species is sometimes mistaken for bess beetles (Passalidae) due to its flattened, parallel-sided body form.
Tetracha virginica
Virginia Metallic Tiger Beetle, Virginia Big-headed Tiger Beetle
Tetracha virginica is a large, nocturnal tiger beetle with metallic green elytra lacking apical markings. It is the most widely distributed Tetracha species in the United States, occurring across the southern two-thirds of the eastern U.S. in diverse habitats including agricultural fields, bottomland forests, and barren clay soils. The species is strictly nocturnal and frequently encountered at building and street lights. Larvae are notable for their large size, white-margined pronotum, and simple thorn-like hooks on the fifth abdominal segment.