Wisconsin is home to many types of beetles, from the common to the rare.
Whether you’re an entomology enthusiast or just curious about the insect life in our state, learning about the different types of beetles in Wisconsin is an interesting and educational experience.
In this blog post, we’ll look at some of Wisconsin‘s more common types of beetles and a few rarer species found here.
From the ladybird beetle to the blister beetle, let’s explore the incredible diversity of beetles in Wisconsin!
1. Acorn Weevil
Acorn Weevil is one of the types of beetles in Wisconsin that can be commonly found throughout the state. This type of beetle has a long snout, and its body is usually grayish-brown.
The Acorn Weevil is most recognized by its curved, elongated snout, which can be up to twice as long as its body.
The larvae feed on developing acorns and nutmeats, making it an important pest species of nut trees in Wisconsin.
Acorn Weevils also feed on beechnuts, walnuts, hickory nuts, and other hard-shelled nuts.
The adult Acorn Weevils are attracted to light, and you may find them near lights at night or outside buildings.
2. American Oil Beetle
The American Oil Beetle is one of the more uncommon types of beetles in Wisconsin.
This beetle is a member of the Meloidae family and can range in color from orange-brown to black.
Its body is covered in a wax-like substance, which gives it a glossy sheen. Its distinctive feature is its oval shape and flattened body.
American Oil Beetles are typically found near woods, streams, and gardens.
These types of beetles in Wisconsin feed on pollen and nectar and can be seen flying during the day. However, they are most active at night when they search for food.
The American Oil Beetle is an important part of the natural food web as it helps to pollinate plants and disperse the seeds of flowers and other plants.
It is also a beneficial insect for gardeners as it helps to control pests such as aphids and other soft-bodied insects.
3. Ant Like Longhorn Beetle
One of Wisconsin‘s more interesting types of beetles is the Ant Like Longhorn Beetle.
This beetle is a member of the long-horned beetle family and is easily recognizable due to its ant-like shape.
It has a dark brown body with three yellowish-orange stripes running across its back and two yellowish-orange spots on its head.
These types of beetles in Wisconsin have long antennae, which are longer than their body and can be seen extending from the front of their heads.
These beetles can be found in wooded areas and feed on deciduous trees and shrubs, such as birch and oak.
They typically come out at night and can be found in various places throughout Wisconsin during the summer months.
4. Antelope Beetle
The Antelope Beetle is one of the types of beetles in Wisconsin found around agricultural areas.
It is a May beetle species with an elongated body, reddish-brown head, and thorax. The elytra (wing covers) are mottled black spots on the outer margins.
Adults can be seen from April to October, feeding foliage and flowers. The larvae, or grubs, feed on plant roots and are usually found in soil.
These grubs are important for breaking down organic material and helping with nutrient cycling.
Antelope Beetles can become pests when they cause damage to turf grass, corn, soybeans, and other crops. To control these pests, cultural practices like crop rotation should be used.
5. Ashy Gray Lady Beetle
The Ashy Gray Lady Beetle is one of Wisconsin‘s most common beetle types. These small grayish-black beetles are usually found in gardens, lawns, and fields.
The beetle’s body is covered in short bristles, making it appear fuzzy.
The larvae of the Ashy Gray Lady Beetle feed on aphids, mites, and other small insects, making them beneficial to gardeners.
These types of beetles in Wisconsin are also known to feed on the pollen of various flowers.
During the summer months, swarms of these beetles can be seen flying around in search of food and mates.
6. Asian Multicolored Lady beetle
One of Wisconsin’s more fascinating types of beetles is the Asian Multicolored Lady beetle.
It’s a beetle species native to east Asia and was introduced to the United States for biological pest control in 1988. It can be found in rural and urban areas, though it prefers moist habitats.
These types of beetles in Wisconsin are about 5mm long and typically have a red, orange, yellow, or cream-colored body. They can also have up to 20 small black spots on their elytra (wing covers).
The larvae of this species feed on aphids, and adults feed on other insects and plant material. In addition, they often hibernate during the winter months.
Overall, the Asian Multicolored Lady beetle is an important insect in the ecosystem of Wisconsin, helping to control pest populations and providing food for birds and other animals.
If you’re lucky enough to spot one of these unique beetles in your yard, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of nature!
7. Banded Night Winged Beetle
The banded night-winged beetle is one of the more unique types of beetles in Wisconsin.
This small, slender beetle has a brown-to-black body with a pale yellowish band running down the center of its wings. It has two large eyes and short antennae.
They can be found in deciduous forests, open meadows, gardens, and your backyard! They feed mainly on nectar but also occasionally on other insects.
They are quite active during the evening hours and are most active during the summer months. If you spot this beetle, admire it before it moves on!
8. Bean Leaf Beetle
The Bean Leaf Beetle is one of the most common types of beetles in Wisconsin. It’s known for its distinctive yellow and black stripes, which make it easy to identify.
This beetle feeds primarily on the leaves and pods of beans and can cause significant damage to crops.
The adults can be seen from late May through August and will lay their eggs near the stems of bean plants.
The larvae, or grubs, feed on the roots of the plants and can cause significant damage to the root systems.
9. Bee Like Flower Scarab Beetle
The bee-like flower scarab beetle is one of Wisconsin’s many types of beetles. It is a brownish-black colored beetle with yellow-orange bands across its body, which are often quite visible.
This beetle is usually found near flowers, where its name comes from, and can be spotted on leaves and around logs.
The larvae of this beetle feed mainly on decaying organic matter, while the adults feed mainly on pollen and nectar from flowers.
These types of beetles in Wisconsin are not harmful to plants. However, they can become a nuisance when they are in large numbers.
These beetles can be controlled using insecticides or encouraging natural predators such as birds and small mammals.
10. Beetle Grub
Beetle grubs are the larvae of various types of beetles found in Wisconsin.
These types of beetles in Wisconsin are white or yellowish, cylindrical-shaped worms that live underground and feed on plant roots.
They can often be found near the base of trees or in soil with many decaying wood and leaves.
Some beetle grubs found in Wisconsin include the European chafer, Japanese beetle, June beetle, and Asiatic garden beetle.
These grubs can be a nuisance to gardeners since they feed on the roots of vegetables and flowers, killing them in large numbers.
It’s important to properly identify which type of beetle grub is causing damage before taking action to remove them from your garden.
11. Bicolored Flower Longhorn
The Bicolored Flower Longhorn is a type of beetle found in Wisconsin, ratified by its black and yellow-striped body and long antennae.
This species of longhorn beetle is also known as the Bumble Flower Beetle, named for its appearance resembling a bumblebee.
The Bicolored Flower Longhorn can be found across the state during the warmer months, with populations particularly concentrated in the southern parts of Wisconsin.
These types of beetles in Wisconsin inhabit wooded areas and can often be seen hovering around flowers and trees, feeding on pollen and nectar.
The Bicolored Flower Longhorn is an important part of Wisconsin’s diverse ecosystem, helping to pollinate plants and flowers and handling pests.
If you’re looking for a unique type of beetle to spot in Wisconsin, the Bicolored Flower Longhorn is worth a look.
12. Big Dipper Firefly
The Big Dipper Firefly is a type of beetle found in Wisconsin. It is often mistaken for the much smaller common Firefly due to its similar appearance and size.
This beetle is unique in its bright red color and ability to fly during the day. It is attracted to the sun and can often be seen in large numbers on sunny summer days.
While these types of beetles in Wisconsin are not as common as other species, they are still an important part of the local ecosystem and can be seen in certain areas of the state.
13. Big-Headed Ground Beetle
Big Headed Ground Beetles are among the more commonly found types of beetles in Wisconsin.
These beetles are usually black, with yellow and red markings, and feature a big head, hence the name. They can be found in grassy and wooded areas, near fields, and along roadsides.
They are attracted to lights at night and feed on snails, slugs, caterpillars, and other small insects.
Big Headed Ground Beetles are beneficial as they help reduce pests in gardens, fields, and yards. They also serve food for birds, small mammals, and other predatory insects.
14. Black Blister Beetle
The Black Blister Beetle (Eupholus chevrolati) is one of Wisconsin’s more unique types of beetles.
It is a species of longhorn beetle, identifiable by its shiny black color and yellow stripes across the wings.
These types of beetles in Wisconsin are found primarily on woody plants like alder, willow, and elderberry. It is nocturnal, so it can be seen flying around in the evening hours.
Its larvae feed on decaying wood, which it uses to form its burrows in the ground.
The Black Blister Beetle is a valuable species in Wisconsin, as it helps keep the ecosystem balanced by consuming dead wood and promoting decomposition.
15. Black Carpet Beetle
The Black Carpet Beetle is one of the most common types of beetles in Wisconsin.
They are oval-shaped, about 1/8 of an inch long, and have a black-brown color. This beetle can be found indoors and outdoors.
Black Carpet Beetles feed on dead animals and animal products such as wool, fur, leather, and feathers.
Outdoors feed on flowers and plant material. If you suspect you have a problem with these beetles, inspect your carpets and other fabrics for their presence.
16. Black Catapiller Hunter
The Black Catapiller Hunter is one of Wisconsin’s more interesting types of beetles. It’s easily identified by its jet-black color and large eyespots on its pronotum.
It feeds on caterpillars and other soft-bodied insects and helps control pest populations in the garden.
These types of beetles in Wisconsin can be found in wooded areas and grassy fields, but they’re usually active at night and hide during the day.
17. Black Firefly
The Black Firefly is a type of beetle found in Wisconsin. This small black beetle is typically about 1/4 inch in length and has a slightly metallic sheen to its body.
It is one of the few firefly species found in Wisconsin and is one of the state’s most common types of beetle.
These types of beetles in Wisconsin are usually active during the evening hours and can be seen flying in the air around dusk.
Black Fireflies emit yellow-green light flashes to attract mates and signal to other individuals.
Although they are not known to cause any damage, they can become a nuisance if attracted to your porch lights or other outdoor lights.
18. Black Vin Weevil
The Black Vin Weevil (Byrrhus fasciatus) is one of Wisconsin’s more unique types of beetles.
It has a black body, and its head and thorax have white stripes. Its antennae are also white with black tips.
This weevil is found in moist habitats, like wetlands and stream banks, where it feeds on decaying vegetation.
The adult weevils are active from May to September. These types of beetles in Wisconsin lay eggs in the soil, hatching them into larvae that feed on roots and other plant matter.
Adult weevils can feed on living plants, including corn, soybeans, and grasses.
19. Bumble Bee Scarab Beetle
The Bumble Bee Scarab Beetle is a type of beetle found in Wisconsin. It is small and black, with yellow spots on its head and thorax.
Its body is also marked with tiny yellow spots, and its antennae are short and curved. It feeds primarily on aphids and other soft-bodied insects.
These types of beetles in Wisconsin is a beneficial insect because it helps to control pest populations.
However, it is important to note that the Bumble Bee Scarab Beetle should not be confused with the Cucumber Beetle, a harmful pest.
It is also important to remember that the Bumble Bee Scarab Beetle is just one of many types of beetles found in Wisconsin.
20. Burying Beetle
The Burying Beetle is a type of beetle found in Wisconsin. It is a dark-colored beetle with small spots, measuring around 0.5 inches in length.
The Burying Beetle is unique in that it has cany small animals and covers them with soil, a behavior that helps it feed its young.
In addition, these types of beetles in Wisconsin are known for their loud clicking sound, which is made when the males try to attract a mate.
The Burying Beetle is a beneficial species as it helps to keep rodent and animal populations in check by burying dead carcasses.
Although not very common, these types of beetles can still be found in Wisconsin and are an important part of the local ecosystem.
21. American Carrion Beetle
The American Carrion Beetle (Necrophila Americana) is one of Wisconsin’s many types of beetles.
This beetle is a medium-sized beetle that can reach up to 11 millimeters long and usually has a dark brown to black body.
The American Carrion Beetle feeds mainly on dead and decaying animal matter, such as carcasses and fallen birds, making it an important part of the natural environment.
These types of beetles in Wisconsin are also known to be attracted to light and can be found near porch lights or street lamps.
22. Banded Ash Borer
The Banded Ash Borer is one of Wisconsin’s many types of beetles. It is a small, dark-colored beetle measuring 6 and 9 mm long.
It is typically black with a pale yellowish stripe running across its body.
The Banded Ash Borer feeds on the inner bark of ash trees and can cause considerable damage to these trees.
Adult beetles emerge from infested trees in late spring and early summer, usually after a few days of warm weather.
These types of beetles in Wisconsin feed on the inner bark and lay their eggs in the same area.
After hatching, the larvae tunnel through the bark, damaging the tree’s vascular system and leading to death.
To protect your ash trees from this pest, monitoring them closely and acting quickly if signs of infestation are observed is important.
23. Banded Longhorn Beetles
Banded Longhorn Beetles (Typocerus velutinus) is one of the most common types of beetles found in Wisconsin.
These large, black beetles have long antennae and colorful yellow-orange stripes along their sides.
Banded Longhorn Beetles typically inhabit wooded areas, feeding on leaves and decaying wood.
These types of beetles in Wisconsin can also be found around homes and buildings, feeding on plants or trees.
During the summer months, these beetles can be seen flying around during the day or resting on tree trunks at night.
Although they may seem intimidating due to their size, Banded Longhorn Beetles do not bite or sting and are not dangerous to humans.
24. Calligrapha Beetle
The Calligrapha beetle is a type of beetle found in Wisconsin. It belongs to the family Chrysomelidae and is often referred to as a leaf beetle.
These beetles are typically green with a yellowish or white border around the wing covers.
These types of beetles in Wisconsin are usually between 0.2 to 0.4 inches in length.
The Calligrapha beetle can be found in meadows, fields, and gardens, where it feeds on various plants, including clover, dandelion, thistle, and grasses.
They lay their eggs near the base of their food plants, and the larvae feed on the leaves and stems.
As adults, these beetles are active during the day and can be seen flying from plant to plant.
25. Case Bearing Life Beetle
The Case Bearing Life Beetle (CBLB) is one of Wisconsin’s many types of beetles.
This beetle is a small, reddish-brown species, measuring between 3 and 8 millimeters in length. It has long antennae and short elytra; its body is covered in tiny, bristly hairs.
CBLBs are often found in wood piles and areas with decaying wood or beneath tree bark.
These types of beetles in Wisconsin feed on the fungus growing on decaying organic matter and can be seen wandering around in search of food during the warmer months.
While they don’t cause any damage to humans or property, they are important members of their local ecosystem as they help to break down dead wood and return it to the soil.
26. Carolina Pine Sawyer
The Carolina Pine Sawyer (Monochamus titillator) is one of Wisconsin’s most commonly encountered types of beetles.
This large longhorn beetle can reach up to 1-2 inches in length and has a distinctive white stripe along its back.
Its black and yellowish-brown wings make it easy to identify, as do its antennae which are usually twice as long as its body.
The Carolina Pine Sawyer feeds on the bark and foliage of various coniferous trees, such as pine and spruce, making it an important part of the forest ecology in Wisconsin.
The larvae feed on dead and decaying wood, thus aiding in decomposition.
27. Cedar Beetle
One of the types of beetles found in Wisconsin is the Cedar Beetle (Armillaria gallica).
This beetle is a fungus-feeding longhorn that prefers to feed on dead or dying woody plants, including deciduous and coniferous trees.
Its larvae tunnel through cedar logs, stumps, and roots, causing extensive damage to the wood.
Adults are typically dark brown to black with distinctive yellowish spots on their wing covers. They are about 1⁄2 inch long and have long antennae with alternating black and white bands.
These types of beetles in Wisconsin are most active from spring to fall, although they may also be seen during the winter months.
28. Checkered Beetle
The checkered beetle (Trichodes ornatus) is one of Wisconsin’s more colorful types of beetles.
This small black and white beetle grows to a maximum length of about 0.5 inches. The adults feed on pollen, nectar, and aphids, while the larvae feed on decaying wood and vegetable matter.
These types of beetles in Wisconsin are usually found in hardwood forests and are common around beech trees.
While they don’t cause any damage to plants or trees, they can become annoying if they swarm in large numbers.
29. Clay Colored Billbug
The Clay Colored Billbug is one of the many types of beetles found in Wisconsin.
This species is typically black or dark brown with yellowish-brown stripes on its back and yellowish-brown legs and antennae—these types of beetles in Wisconsin measure between 6 and 10 millimeters in length.
Clay Colored Billbugs are often found on leaves, twigs, and stems of various types of grass, and they feed mainly on plant matter.
Their larva can cause significant damage to grasses and other crops, so it is important to properly identify these pests before attempting to remove them from an area.
Fortunately, these beetles are relatively easy to identify since they have distinct patterns and shapes.
30. Click Beetle
Click beetles, or “skipjacks,” are beetles found in Wisconsin. These types of beetles in Wisconsin have a unique feature: when they feel threatened, they can jump or “click” to make a loud clicking sound and propel themselves into the air.
This sound is due to the beetle’s ability to suddenly flex its head and thorax, which locks and unlocks a spine-like structure called a “spine bow” between the two sections.
Click beetles come in various colors, from dark browns to bright greens and oranges, and many species can be found in Wisconsin.
They feed on decaying plant material and are an important part of the ecosystem by breaking down dead organic matter.
Conclusion
Wisconsin is home to many fascinating types of beetles, from the American Carrion Beetle to the Checkered Beetle.
There are over 30 species of beetles that can be found in Wisconsin, each of them with its unique characteristics and habits.
While some of these beetles may cause damage to plants or buildings, they are still an important part of Wisconsin’s natural ecosystems.
Understanding the types of beetles in Wisconsin can help us appreciate the diversity of life here and better protect these important creatures.
