Beetles In Ohio

There are over 170 species of beetles in Ohio! Beetles are the most common insect in the world. The 10 species of beetles we have chosen are all different in their own special way.

About Beetles

There are over 300,000 known species of beetles in the world, and it is anyone’s guess how many others are waiting to be discovered!

Beetles are valuable insects in many ways. They are decomposers, especially in woodlands and forests. Beetles are predators of other, nuisance insects, such as aphids and caterpillars. For this reason, ladybugs are available to purchase for agriculturalists to keep their crops free from harmful insects.

However, beetles can also be destructive, especially to trees, and some species are detrimental to farmers and their crops and stored goods. With so many varieties, it is no wonder they are both good and bad!

Acorn Weevil

The Acorn Weevil is a brown color and it has a long snout. This can be compared to an elephant’s trunk. It also has a small amount of yellow coloring. Also known as a Nut Weevil.

The Acorn Weevil uses acorns to lay their eggs in, and that is where its name comes from! This Weevil only goes after the actual acorn fruit and not the tree itself, so it is of no danger to the tree. The Acorn Weevil does reduce the number of acorns on the tree, but this species of beetle only uses well-established oak trees.

Also known as the Nut Weevil, the Acorn Weevil measures between 0.1 to 0.3 inches (4mm to 10mm).

Check out this short video starring the Acorn Weevil:

Ant-Like Longhorn Beetle

This beetle comes in various color forms and as the name suggests, it looks very much like an ant and it has very similar mannerisms as well.

The Ant-Like Longhorn Beetle has the shape of an ant. The coloring of this beetle is usually a brown-red color, however, it can also come in other colors. This beetle also had a three-body part anatomy.

This beetle likes to go towards flowers and plants, it also mimics and behaves like an ant. The one major difference it has with an ant (excluding flying ants) is that it can fly.

If you find yourself around flowers, have a look out for this beetle. This species of beetle loves rotting wood, nectar, and pollen.

The Ant-like Longhorn Beetle is typically 0.2 to 0.4 inches (7mm to 11mm).

Asian Multi-Colored Lady Beetle

The Asian Multicolored Lady Beetles is an invasive beetle that landed on our shores in the 1970s. Asian Multicolored Lady Beetles are known to mimic Ohio’s native Lady Beetles. Also known as the Asian Ladybug.

Unfortunately, these beetles enjoy ruining rose plants and hibiscus flowers. They like to congregate together just as the winter is about to bite. It is a highly adaptable species that has spread across the entire North American continent since its introduction in the 1970s.

This species is not uniform in color. Some individuals can be red, some can be brown and some can be orange. They also have different numbers of dots between individuals. One useful marker that they do have is white coloring around the neck area. This is a way to distinguish them from the native species.

Measures can be taken to stop them from damaging plants. Praying Mantis eggs can be purchased and the Praying Mantis can be used as a predator. Soapy sprays are also a way of controlling them. As previously stated, they also like to congregate and come indoors before the winter. They can go to places like lofts, so it is important that places like this are sealed correctly. They do not damage property, but they can create a bad smell if there is a large number of them.

The Asian Multi-colored Lady Beetle is also known by the name Asian Ladybug. The Asian Multi-colored Lady Beetle is typically 0.1 to 0.3 inches (4mm to 8mm).

Banded Net-Winged Beetle

The Banded Net-Winged Beetle can pass as a very colorful moth, with large orange and black bands that cover the wings. Lots of small veins on the wings make them look like netting – this is how they got their name.

The Banded Net-Winged beetle tends to be found in gardens and meadows. It also enjoys visiting many of the flowers that Ohio has to offer and it likes to live in decaying trees.

The Banded Net-winged Beetle is typically 0.3 to 0.7 inches (9mm to 19mm).

Black Caterpillar Hunter Beetle

The Black Caterpillar Hunter, as the name suggests, feeds on caterpillars. This beetle is a night hunter. When in danger it can deploy a chemical that scares predators away. Found in gardens and woodlands, the Black Caterpillar Hunter Beetle can be difficult to see at night, but they are attracted to light. The typical size of this beetle is 0.9 to 1.1 inches (25mm to 28mm).

Ashy Gray Lady Beetle

This unique beetle has two color forms. Both insects have dome-like bodies and a very glossy sheen. One of the colors is grey and has small black dots on it. These beetles are not common and when seen they are very striking. The other insect is black and it has orange dots. This looks similar to a twice-stabbed Lady Beetle.

The larvae of these beetles are in fact very useful for gardens. The larvae do not fly at this stage and they search for food in the garden. They eat other insects, so are perfect for pest control.

The Ashy Gray Lady Beetle is typically 0.1 to 0.2 inches (3mm to 6mm).

American Oil Beetle

The American Oil Beetle is a blister beetle. These beetles are known to irritate human skin if they feel threatened. The American Oil Beetle is black with a satin, smooth sheen. In certain light, these beetles can also look blue.

The wings on these beetles are quite small. The difference with these beetles is that they can secrete a yellow substance that can be quite painful for humans and other animals. This is a defense mechanism that the beetle will use if it feels threatened. The fluid can also be secreted if one picks up this beetle and squeezes it a little. It will only secrete this poison until the threat has passed. If this goes on a human’s skin, it can produce a rash and blisters.

These beetles can be seen in various parts of Ohio. They can be seen on grass, patios, and sidewalks. It is also important to point out that these beetles do not fly. They are usually seen in the spring, but not exclusively.

The American Oil Beetle is typically 0.2 to 0.6 inches (7mm to 17mm).

A short video of an American Oil Beetle:

Big Dipper Firefly Beetle

The Big Dipper Firefly is a very common sight in Ohio. These fireflies illuminate the sky at night. The way they light up the sky and the science behind is very uncommon in the entire animal kingdom, it is a very special spectacle. As the firefly flies up and away it makes a streak in the night sky. It is the belly of the firefly that lights up.

The Big Dipper Firefly has black wing coverings and it also has a yellow rim around the wings. This is a very pretty beetle and as it is friendly, it is easy to handle. When handled they walk up the arm to get to the shoulder to fly away. These can be seen near trees at dusk. When night falls, the firefly will go to the top of the tree to mate.

Also known as the Lightning bug, Common Eastern Firefly, and Pyralis Firefly.

The Big Dipper Firefly is typically 0.3 to 0.5 inches (9mm to 15mm).

Black Firefly Beetle

The Black Firefly is a little different from its cousins. They do not tend to light up as much, except for in the pupal stage. This is to prevent alerting its prey.

The wing coverings of this Black Firefly are not completely black. These beetles can be hard to spot as they are night insects. They are found in trees in woodland and parks. The Black Firefly is typically 0.2 to 0.5 inches (7mm to 13mm).

Banded Ash Borer Beetle

The Banded Ash Borer has circular bands of black and yellow. This makes this species of beetle look like a wasp. The body of this beetle is black, but it also has yellow markings. At the head, the beetle has a yellow collar and on the wing coverings, it has two large, yellow rings. The underside of the beetle has black and yellow stripes.

This beetle lives in ash trees. The good news for the trees is that this species of beetle does not destroy them. It also only uses sick and dying trees to lay its eggs. Sometimes, these trees and logs can be harvested for furniture, and on rare occasions, these beetles will wake up inside someone’s house. The adults do not like staying indoors and will be eager to get outside as soon as possible. If a lot of these beetles are seen in a specific area, it is often a sign that the tree is unwell.

The Banded Ash Borer is typically 0.3 inches to 0.6 inches (8mm to 17mm).

vertical photo of the Pigweed Flea Beetle on a green leaf

H2 or H3

Drugstore Beetle
Dung Beetle
Fungus Weevil
Larder Beetle
Marsh Beetle

Rice Beetle
Soldier Beetle
Spotted Cucumber Beetle
Water Scavenger Beetle
Whirligigs

If you want the full list of Beetles In Ohio, here is a great resource!

Cindy’s Insider Ohio Tips!

I am very interested in beetles; I personally think they are misunderstood! Some interesting facts are: most beetles only live for one year; beetles cannot see very well, so they communicate using sounds and vibrations; not all beetles are pests, ladybugs, for instance, are considered to be good luck in some cultures; there are 12,000 varieties of beetles in the US and over 300,000 known species in the world.

If you are an animal lover, check out these Hawks! Or maybe Salamanders are more your speed! Don’t forget to check out our article on Stink Bugs in Ohio too! We have lots of information, but if you think we have missed anything out, please let us know in the comments below!

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Beetles In Ohio