Coleoptera

  • A metallic green tiger beetle at the bottom of an orange plastic jar.
    Tiger beetles are some of the most charismatic insects on Earth: metallic, sharp-eyed, absurdly fast, and every bit as predatory as their name suggests. Come learn how they hunt, why their larvae live like tiny trapdoor monsters in the soil, and what their decline says about the fragile open habitats many other species need too.

Guides

  • Diabrotica cristata

    Black Diabrotica

    Diabrotica cristata, commonly known as the black diabrotica, is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is native to North America and has been recorded in Canada (Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan) and the United States. The species is part of the economically significant genus Diabrotica, which includes several agricultural pests, though specific economic impacts of D. cristata itself are not well documented. Based on iNaturalist records, the species has been observed approximately 1,840 times.

  • Diabrotica virgifera zeae

    Mexican corn rootworm

    Diabrotica virgifera zeae, the Mexican corn rootworm, is a subspecies of the western corn rootworm complex and a significant agricultural pest of corn (Zea mays) in Mexico and parts of the southern United States. Larvae feed on corn roots, causing damage that can lead to reduced yield, stunting, and plant lodging. Unlike the western corn rootworm subspecies (D. v. virgifera), the Mexican corn rootworm has been documented to damage corn following sorghum rotation in parts of South Central Texas, though this remains rare. Adults feed on corn silks, pollen, and leaves. The species has one generation per year, with eggs laid in soil during summer and fall, hatching the following spring when corn roots become available.

  • Diachus

    case-bearing leaf beetles

    Diachus is a genus of case-bearing leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. The genus contains approximately 10 described species, with a distribution centered in the Americas. Members of this genus are characterized by their case-bearing habit, where larvae construct protective cases from fecal material and exuviae. The genus was established by J.L. LeConte in 1880.

  • Dialytellus

    Dialytellus is a genus of aphodiine dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, established by Brown in 1929. The genus comprises at least three described species distributed in the Nearctic region. As members of the Aphodiinae subfamily, these beetles are associated with dung decomposition. The genus is relatively small and understudied, with limited ecological data available.

  • Dialytes truncatus

    Dialytes truncatus is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from the United States and Canada. As a member of the Aphodiinae subfamily, it is associated with dung habitats. The species was first described by Melsheimer in 1845.

  • Dialytes ulkei

    Dialytes ulkei is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Horn in 1875. The species is distributed across eastern and central North America, with records from Canada (Ontario, Quebec) and the United States (Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, South Carolina, Wisconsin). As a member of the Aphodiinae, it is associated with dung and decaying organic matter.

  • Diaperis californica

    Diaperis californica is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Blaisdell in 1929. It belongs to the genus Diaperis, a small group of beetles characterized by their distinctive body shape and coloration patterns. The species is known from California, as indicated by its specific epithet. Like other members of its family, it is likely associated with decaying organic matter and fungal resources, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.

  • Diaperis rufipes

    Diaperis rufipes is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Horn in 1870. It is native to Mexico and belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive body forms. The species epithet 'rufipes' refers to reddish legs, a trait that distinguishes it from congeners. Like other members of Tenebrionidae, it is likely associated with decaying wood or fungal habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.

  • Dibolia chelones

    Dibolia chelones is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Parry in 1974. It is one of six species newly described in the 1974 revision of the genus Dibolia for North America north of Mexico. The species is part of a genus of small leaf beetles commonly known as flea beetles due to their enlarged hind femora that enable jumping.

  • Dicaelus chermocki

    notched-mouth ground beetle

    Dicaelus chermocki is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by George Ball in 1959. It belongs to the genus Dicaelus, commonly known as notched-mouth ground beetles, characterized by a distinctive emargination on the labrum. The species is known from the United States, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in the available literature.

  • Dicaelus crenatus

    notched-mouth ground beetle

    Dicaelus crenatus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by LeConte in 1853. It belongs to the genus Dicaelus, commonly known as notched-mouth ground beetles. The species has been documented in North America, with observational records from the United States. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a predatory beetle associated with terrestrial habitats, though specific ecological details remain limited in available literature.

  • Dicaelus furvus

    notched-mouthed ground beetle

    Dicaelus furvus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It belongs to the genus Dicaelus, commonly known as notched-mouthed ground beetles. The species occurs in North America, with confirmed records from the United States. Two subspecies are recognized: Dicaelus furvus furvus (Dejean, 1826) and Dicaelus furvus carinatus (Dejean, 1831). Like other members of its genus, it is a predatory beetle typically found in terrestrial habitats.

  • Dicaelus purpuratus

    Notch-mouthed Ground Beetle

    Dicaelus purpuratus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the notch-mouthed ground beetle. It is distributed across North America, with records from both Canada and the United States. The species was described by Bonelli in 1813 and includes two recognized subspecies: D. p. purpuratus and D. p. splendidus. Members of the genus Dicaelus are characterized by their notched labrum, giving rise to the common name.

  • Dicaelus quadratus

    notched-mouthed ground beetle

    Dicaelus quadratus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1847. It belongs to the genus Dicaelus, commonly known as notched-mouthed ground beetles, characterized by a distinctive notch or emargination on the labrum. The species is recorded from the United States, with distribution data indicating presence in North America. Like other carabids, it is a predatory beetle, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented in available sources.

  • Dicaelus subtropicus

    notched-mouth ground beetle

    Dicaelus subtropicus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Thomas L. Casey in 1913. The genus Dicaelus, commonly known as notched-mouth ground beetles, is characterized by distinctive mandibular morphology. This species is part of a diverse genus containing approximately 50 species distributed primarily in North America. Like other members of Carabidae, D. subtropicus is likely predatory, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.

  • Dicaelus suffusus

    notched-mouthed ground beetle

    Dicaelus suffusus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Casey in 1913. The genus Dicaelus, commonly known as notched-mouthed ground beetles, is characterized by distinctive mandibular structures. This species belongs to the tribe Dicaelini within the subfamily Harpalinae. Like other members of its genus, it is a predatory beetle adapted to ground-dwelling habits. The species has been recorded in the United States, with distribution spanning parts of North America.

  • Dicaelus teter

    Dicaelus teter is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Bonelli in 1813. It belongs to the genus Dicaelus, commonly known as notched-mouthed ground beetles. The species is distributed across North America, with records from both Canada and the United States. Like other members of its genus, it is a ground-dwelling beetle typically found in forested habitats.

  • Dicercina

    Dicercina is a subtribe of metallic wood-boring beetles within the family Buprestidae. It contains at least two genera, Dicerca and Lampetis, with approximately 20 described species. The subtribe belongs to the tribe Dicercini and subfamily Chrysochroinae. Members exhibit the characteristic metallic coloration typical of jewel beetles.

  • Dicheirus

    Dicheirus is a genus of ground beetles in the family Carabidae, tribe Anisodactylini. The genus contains five described species distributed in North America, including D. dilatatus, D. obtusus, D. piceus, D. pilosus, and D. strenuus. Members of this genus are part of the diverse ground beetle fauna, with adults and larvae occupying terrestrial habitats.

  • Dichelonyx canadensis

    May beetle, junebug

    Dichelonyx canadensis is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae, commonly referred to as a May beetle or junebug. The species occurs in North America, with documented records from Canada (Labrador, Ontario, Quebec) and the United States (South Dakota, Wisconsin). As a member of the genus Dichelonyx, it belongs to a group of beetles whose larvae typically develop in soil and feed on plant roots.

  • Dichelonyx elongatula

    Dichelonyx elongatula is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island in Canada. The species is a small, elongate scarab that has been documented in bottle trap collections in sand dune and woodland habitats. As a member of the genus Dichelonyx, it belongs to a group of scarabs commonly referred to as June beetles or May beetles, though specific life history details for this species remain poorly documented.

  • Dichelonyx fulgida

    Dichelonyx fulgida is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae, tribe Dichelonychini. Described by LeConte in 1856, this species belongs to a genus of North American May beetles. The genus Dichelonyx comprises approximately 20 species distributed primarily in western and central North America. Like other members of the tribe Dichelonychini, adults are typically active in spring and are attracted to lights. Larvae develop in soil, feeding on roots of various plants.

  • Dichelonyx vicina

    Dichelonyx vicina is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. The species is known to occur in North America. Two subspecies are recognized: Dichelonyx vicina columbiana Hopping, 1931 and Dichelonyx vicina vicina. Beyond this basic taxonomic information, detailed biological and ecological data for this species remain limited in the available literature.

  • Dichelotarsus cinctipennis

    Dichelotarsus cinctipennis is a species of soldier beetle (family Cantharidae) native to eastern Canada. It is one of several species in the genus Dichelotarsus, a group of soft-bodied beetles commonly found in flowering vegetation. The species was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1866. Available records indicate it occurs in New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec.

  • Dichelotarsus heteronychus

    Crookedjaw Soldier Beetle

    Dichelotarsus heteronychus is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae, originally described as Podabrus heteronychus by Fall in 1927. It is known from northern and western Canada. The common name 'Crookedjaw Soldier Beetle' suggests a distinctive mandibular feature, though detailed morphological descriptions remain limited in available sources. Like other Cantharidae, it likely exhibits soft-bodied elytra and predatory or omnivorous feeding habits as an adult.

  • Dichelotarsus instabilis

    Dichelotarsus instabilis is a species of soldier beetle (family Cantharidae) described by Fall in 1927. The genus Dichelotarsus is a small group of cantharid beetles distributed primarily in western North America. Like other soldier beetles, members of this genus are soft-bodied, elongate beetles typically found on flowers and foliage where they feed on pollen, nectar, and small insects. The specific epithet "instabilis" (Latin for "unstable" or "inconstant") may refer to variable morphological features or coloration, though the original description would need to be consulted for certainty.

  • Dichelotarsus laevicollis

    Softnecked Soldier Beetle

    Dichelotarsus laevicollis is a soldier beetle (family Cantharidae) first described by Kirby in 1837. It is found across northern North America, with records from Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and New Brunswick. The species is known by the common name "Softnecked Soldier Beetle." As a member of Cantharidae, it is a soft-bodied beetle with flexible elytra.

  • Dichelotarsus limbellus

    Dichelotarsus limbellus is a soldier beetle species in the family Cantharidae, first described by LeConte in 1881 under the basionym Podabrus limbellus. The species is known from eastern Canada, with records from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec. Soldier beetles (Cantharidae) are generally recognized by their soft, elongated bodies and flexible elytra.

  • Dichelotarsus lygarius

    Dichelotarsus lygarius is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. The species was originally described as Podabrus lygarius by Fender in 1962 and later transferred to the genus Dichelotarsus. It occurs in northwestern North America, with records from Alaska, Alberta, and British Columbia.

  • Dichelotarsus macer

    Dichelotarsus macer is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae, described by LeConte in 1861. It is known from western Canada, specifically Alberta and British Columbia. Soldier beetles in this genus are typically found in association with vegetation and are generalist predators or scavengers as adults.

  • Dichelotarsus obscureovittatus

    Dichelotarsus obscureovittatus is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. Members of this genus are found in the Neotropical region. Soldier beetles are generally soft-bodied beetles with flexible elytra. The species name refers to dark longitudinal markings.

  • Dichelotarsus punctatus

    Dichelotarsus punctatus is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1850. It is a small to medium-sized beetle found in eastern North America, where it inhabits forested and open habitats. Like other cantharids, it possesses soft, flexible elytra and is likely active during the warmer months, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.

  • Dichelotarsus scaber

    Dichelotarsus scaber is a soldier beetle (family Cantharidae) described by LeConte in 1861. It is recorded from western North America, specifically the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, as well as Alaska in the United States. As a member of Cantharidae, it belongs to a family of soft-bodied beetles commonly known as soldier beetles. The genus Dichelotarsus is part of the diverse cantharid fauna of North America.

  • Dichelotarsus simplex

    Dichelotarsus simplex is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae, first described by Couper in 1865. It is native to eastern Canada, with documented occurrences in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec. As a member of Cantharidae, it belongs to a family of soft-bodied beetles commonly associated with flowers and vegetation. The species is rarely recorded, with only 9 observations documented on iNaturalist.

  • Dichelotarsus tetragonoderus

    Flour-plated Soldier Beetle

    Dichelotarsus tetragonoderus is a species of soldier beetle (family Cantharidae) originally described as Podabrus tetragonoderus by Fall in 1926. The species is known from western and northern Canada, including Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, and Yukon. It is commonly referred to as the "Flour-plated Soldier Beetle," a name likely referencing the pale, flour-like appearance of its elytral pubescence. As with other cantharids, it is presumed to be a generalist predator or pollen feeder, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.

  • Dichoxenus

    Dichoxenus is a genus of broad-nosed weevils in the family Curculionidae. A 2024 taxonomic revision recognized 25 species, including 17 newly described from Mexico and the southern United States. The genus was expanded through synonymy of Anametis and transfer of several species from other genera. Most species are nocturnal and associated with vegetation, though some occur in leaf litter and three species are known or suspected to be cave-dwelling.

  • Dichoxenus setiger

    Dichoxenus setiger is a broad-nosed weevil in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Entiminae, tribe Byrsopagini. The species was described by Horn in 1876. A 2024 taxonomic revision of the genus Dichoxenus clarified that D. setiger does not include the former subspecies D. setiger arkansasensis, which was synonymized with D. granulatus. The genus comprises 25 species distributed in North America, primarily Mexico and the southern United States.

  • Diclidia

    A genus of false flower beetles in the family Scraptiidae. The genus contains approximately 11 described species, primarily distributed in western North America and Mexico. Species were described primarily by Liljeblad between 1918 and 1945.

  • Diclidia spinea

    A species of false flower beetle in the family Scraptiidae, described by Liljeblad in 1945. Records indicate presence in North America, though detailed ecological information remains limited. The species belongs to a small genus within a family of beetles often associated with decaying vegetation and fungal habitats.

  • Dicranopselaphus variegatus

    variegated false water penny beetle

    Dicranopselaphus variegatus is a species of water penny beetle in the family Psephenidae, commonly known as the variegated false water penny beetle. The species was described by George Henry Horn in 1880. Like other members of Psephenidae, adults are terrestrial while larvae are aquatic, living on submerged rocks and logs in flowing water. It is found in North America.

  • Dicrepidiini

    Dicrepidiini is a tribe of click beetles (Elateridae) within the subfamily Elaterinae. Members are characterized by specific morphological features of the prosternal process and associated structures. The tribe was established by J. Thomson in 1858 and remains taxonomically accepted.

  • Dicrepidius corvinus

    Dicrepidius corvinus is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. The genus Dicrepidius is part of the diverse elaterid fauna, with species distributed in various regions. Based on iNaturalist records, this species has been documented in at least 190 observations, indicating it is not uncommon among beetle enthusiasts and naturalists. The specific epithet "corvinus" refers to raven-like or crow-like coloration, suggesting dark plumage.

  • Didactyliini

    Didactyliini is a small tribe of water scavenger beetles within the family Hydrophilidae, currently containing the single genus Didactylus. Members of this tribe are aquatic beetles distinguished by reduced tarsal segmentation, with only two visible tarsomeres on the fore and mid legs. The tribe was established to accommodate this unusual morphological condition, which separates it from other Hydrophilinae. The genus occurs in the Neotropical region, where species inhabit freshwater environments.

  • Didion punctatum

    twice-stained miniature, twice-stained ladybug

    Didion punctatum is a small dusky lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, native to North America. It is commonly known as the "twice-stained miniature" or "twice-stained ladybug." The species has been recorded in Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. It belongs to the dusky lady beetle group, which are generally smaller and less brightly colored than the familiar spotted ladybugs.

  • Dienerella costulata

    Dienerella costulata is a small beetle species in the family Latridiidae (plaster beetles or minute brown scavenger beetles), first described by Reitter in 1877. The genus Dienerella comprises minute beetles associated with mold and fungal growth. This species has been recorded from several Canadian provinces including Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec. Very few observations of this species exist in public databases.

  • Diestota

    Diestota is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Aleocharinae, tribe Diestotini. The genus was established by Mulsant & Rey in 1870. Members of this genus are small, typically inconspicuous beetles associated with decaying organic matter. Very few observations of this genus exist in public databases, suggesting either genuine rarity or undercollecting due to their cryptic habits.

  • Dietzella zimmermanni

    minute seed weevil

    Dietzella zimmermanni is a small weevil species in the family Curculionidae. Larvae are known to feed on leaves of specific host plants in the evening primrose family, including Oenothera pilosella, with this association representing the first documented larval host record for the species. The species occurs across North America with records from Canada and the United States.

  • Dietzianus

    Dietzianus is a genus of true weevils (family Curculionidae) comprising at least two described species: D. liliputanus and D. pygmaeus. Both species were originally described by Dietz in 1891 and later transferred to this genus by Sleeper in 1953. The genus is currently classified with doubtful status in some taxonomic databases, suggesting potential taxonomic uncertainty or need for revision. No observations of this genus have been recorded in iNaturalist.

  • Digitonthophagus

    Digitonthophagus is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, tribe Onthophagini. The genus was established by Balthasar in 1959 and was historically treated as a subgenus of Onthophagus by some authorities. A comprehensive taxonomic review was published in 2017, resulting in the description of numerous new species. The genus currently comprises 16 recognized species distributed across the Afrotropical, Oriental, and Palaearctic regions. Members are dung beetles that exhibit the typical scarabaeine behavior of dung burial for larval provisioning.

  • Dinoderinae

    Dinoderinae is a subfamily of wood-boring beetles within the family Bostrichidae, established by C. G. Thomson in 1863. The subfamily contains five to seven genera of beetles that live in wood, with some species recognized as pests of stored wood-based products and other stored goods. Members are characterized by their association with woody substrates and their economic significance in certain contexts.