1. The most diverse group of organisms on Earth – over 300,000 species

2. Total 1,392,485 # of described species of organisms on Earth

3. # of insect species in N. America: ca. 90,000 # of beetle species: ca. 30,000 # of families: 111

4. mandibles antennae elytra (hard fore wings) membraneous hind wings abdomen Beetle structure

5. Rove beetles – Staphylinidae The largest family of beetles in N. America 3,100 species

6. Curculio elephas European Chestnut Weevil Weevils – Curculionidae The largest family of beetles (and probably animals) in the world Second largest in North America 2,500 species

7. Weevils can be pests (alfalfa weevil) or beneficial (attacking invasive weeds) Hypera postica – Alfalfa weevil

8. Ground beetles - Carabidae Calosoma scrutator Caterpillar hunter Third largest family in N. America – 1,700 species

9. Chlaenius sp. Vivid metallic ground beetle Ground beetles - Carabidae

10. Bluemargined ground beetle Pasimachus elongatus Ground beetles - Carabidae

11. Big sand tiger beetle Tiger beetles - Cicindelidae Cicindela formosa

12. Cicindela willistoni Tiger beetles - Cicindelidae Tiger beetles and Ground beetles are active predators

13. Cicindela sexguttata Six-spotted Green Tiger beetle Tiger beetles - Cicindelidae

14. Leaf beetles - Chrysomelidae Fourth largest family in N. America – 1,500 species

15. Leaf beetles - Chrysomelidae Many pests belong to this family Colorado potato beetle

16. Leaf beetles - Chrysomelidae Potato flea beetle Northern corn root worm Western corn root worm Spotted cucumber beetle

17. Phanaeus sp. Scarab beetles - Scarabaeidae Fifth largest family in N. America – 1,400 species

18. Scarab beetles - Scarabaeidae Canthon sp. Dung beetles

19. Japanese Beetle (Popillia punctata) Scarab beetles - Scarabaeidae

20. Cotinis nitida Scarab beetles - Scarabaeidae Green June beetle Larvae – “grubs”

21. Scarab beetles - Scarabaeidae Rhinoceros beetle

22. 0 8 in Goliath beetle – the largest beetle in the world

23. Stag beetles – Lucanidae Larvae develop for up to 5 years in decaying wood

24. Darkling beetles – Tenebrionidae Sixth largest family of beetles in North America 1,300 species

25. Longhorned beetles - Cerambycidae Plectrodera scalator Cottonwood borer 1,100 species in N. America

26. Dryobius sexnotatus Longhorned beetles - Cerambycidae Six-banded longhorned beetle

27. Small mulberry borer Longhorned beetles - Cerambycidae Dorcaschema alternatum

28. Longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae) Elm borerElder borer Larvae live in wood Saperda tridentata Desmocerus palliatus

29. Click beetles - Elateridae AdultLarva – “Wireworm” 800 species in N. America

30. Metallic wood-boring beetles - Buprestidae 700 species in N. America

31. Metallic wood-boring beetles - Buprestidae

33. Bark beetles - Scolytidae About 500 species in N. America Mountain pine beetle Dendroctonus ponderosae

34. Bark beetles - Scolytidae Mountain pine beetle damage

35. Bark beetle damage

36. Soldier beetles - Cantharidae About 500 species in N. America

37. Lady beetles - Coccinellidae Coleomegilla maculata Pinkspotted lady beetle 400 species in N. America

38. Lady beetles - Coccinellidae Pinkspotted lady beetle – efficient biocontrol agent

39. Lady beetles - Coccinellidae Lady beetle larva is a ferocious predator

40. Blister beetles - Meloidae 330 species in N. America

41. Blister 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

42. Carrion beetles - Silphidae Burying beetles Nicrophorus spp. 50 species in N. America

43. Silpha americana Carrion beetles - Silphidae American carrion beetle – endangered species