Bug Camp

Coleoptera
(beetles)

Beetles are the most speciose insect group. This ground beetle (family Carabidae) on the left will vigorously scour vegetation for caterpillars. Most species are generalist predators, so they will eat anything they get their mandibles on. Phil Parrillo and Margaret Thayer, two BugCamp lecturers, study beetles.

A weevil (family Curculionidae). Most beetles in this family can be recognized by their elongated snouts. Weevils generally feed on plants, and many crop pests are in this family.

All photos courtesy of Jim Rowan

A soldier beetle (family Cantharidae). Beetles in this family are very common in the midwest, and are as important as bees in pollination.

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