organic matter, where they feed on various smaller insects. Some species of
the Hister live in the open and attack leaf beetle larvae and caterpillars, while
others invade ant and termite nests.
Hister Beetle
The largest order in the animal kingdom
is Coleoptera and contains a third of
all known insects---300,000 species worldwide
and around 30,000 species in
North America.
Beetles range in size from 5 1/8 inches long
(tropical insects), to small species
which measure less than 1/16 in length and
can be found on land and in water.
Certain types are capable of flight and
all types can be recognized by rough,
armor-like forewings which cover and protect
the membranous hind wings
which are actually used for flight.
Many beetles are predators, others are scavengers,
and a few are parasites.
Beetles are known to eat leaves, bark, dung,
wool and other fabrics and their
larvae, called grubs, can be either predacious
or vegetarian and though these
grubs display various forms, they all have
biting mouthparts.
Most species produce one generation a year,
mating in the spring and summer,
although some species have as many as four
generations per year and all types
of beetles evolve through complete metamorphosis.
Some types attack plants and stored foods,
while others pollinate flowers and
eat plant pests.
Beetles ,such as the Hister beetle, live
near dung, carrion, and other decayed
organic matter, where they feed on various
smaller insects. Some species of
the Hister live in the open and attack leaf
beetle larvae and caterpillars, while
others invade ant and termite nests.
Hister Beetle
Histers are found throughout North America
and are shiny and jet-black in
color. These beetles use their sharp,
curved, jaws to seize and cut up prey
and if disturbed,they pull in their legs
and antennae and remain completely
still.
Stag beetles are so named because of their
huge, branching, antler-like
jaws on males of the largest species.
Most are black or reddish brown in
color and range from 3/8 to 2 3/8 inches
long. These beetles are found in
woods and along sandy beaches and the larvae
of the stag drink the juices
of decaying wood.
Elephant Stag Beetle
Because adults sometimes pinch with their
mandibles, they are also called
" pinching bugs."
The Elephant Stag beetle is a good example
of this type beetle. They are
found in Virginia and N. Carolina west to
Oklahoma and North to Illinois. Their
eggs are laid in crevices of wet, decaying
wood and their larvae pupate in
earthen cells near food sources. Adults
emerge from July to August and
live for two or more years. There
is one generation per year.
It would be impossible to list all beetles,
but I have chosen a few of the more
interesting and colorful beetles to represent
their species on this web page.
Click the links below to go to other pages
which cover the more interesting
beetle varieties.
Ladybug Beetles May Beetles Bark Beetles Click Beetles Blister Beetles Long Horned Beetles