the essentials in brief
- Certain beetle characteristics are physique with a head, pronotum and 2 pairs of wings (hardened cover wings over membranous wings), biting and chewing mouthparts, 6 legs and 2 antennae
- Native black-brown beetle families are weevils (Curculionidae), longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae), ground beetles (Carabidae), bark beetles (Scolytinae) and Schröter (Lucanidae)
- Local colorful beetle families are leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae), colored beetles (Cleridae), ladybirds (Coccinellidae), jewel beetles (Buprestidae) and gloss beetles (Nitidulidae)
Recognizing beetles - typical characteristics.
Beetles represent the largest order within the class of insects. To date, 180 families of beetles with more than 350,000 species are known around the world. There are an estimated 20 families of beetles with around 8,000 species at home in Central Europe. In view of this dizzying variety, domestic beetles come in a variety of shapes and colors. This circumstance does not make an informed determination easy for the layperson. After all, beetles are characterized by these typical properties that clearly distinguish them from other insects:
- anatomy: Head, pronotum, wing (with or without label)
- Wing construction: 2 pairs of wings, sclerotized (hardened) wings in front, membranous, folded hind wings
- Mouthparts: biting-chewing
- size: 0.5 to 80mm (European types)
- extremities: 6 legs and 2 antennae (short, long, thread-like, clubbed, fanned, combed)
- eyes: Compound eyes
also read
- Identify red-black beetles - recognize 10 native species
- Big black beetle - common species
- Green beetle - How to determine the type of beetle
The main distinguishing features from other insects are body structure and wing structure. The classic insect structure of head, chest and abdomen does not apply to a beetle body. Here the chest and abdomen form an optical unit, covered by often hardened cover wings, under which there are wings of skin. The pronotum is usually visible on the top of the beetle. This structure gives many beetles a tank-like appearance.
Digression
Beetle in the house - a double-edged sword
Identify black-brown domestic beetles - 5 common species.
For the Beetle layman, the color is an important criterion on the way to accurate determination. Size, body shape, special feature and occurrence provide further information for finding a name. The following table gives an overview of 5 common beetle families in Germany that have chosen a dark color. A typical native beetle species is named as representative of each beetle family.
| Dark-colored families of beetles | Weevil | Longhorn beetle | Ground beetle | Bark beetle | Schröter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Curculionidae | Cerambycidae | Carabidae | Scolytinae | Lucanidae |
| hue | black to dark brown | black, gray or colored | black to brightly colored | brown-black to copper-colored | black, red-brown to red |
| size | 3-20 mm | 10-30 mm | 1-85 mm | 2-8 mm | 8-80 mm |
| body shape | oval | elongated, elongated | flat, elongated | cylindrical, cylindrical | elongated to cylindrical |
| Special feature | long trunk | long antennae | long hind legs | serrated elytra margins | enlarged upper jaw |
| Occurrence | Forest, garden | inside, outside in the wood | in leaf litter | on conifers | in / on deadwood |
| Typical species | Furrowed vine weevil | House buck | Large broad beetle | Book printer | Stag beetle |
| Botanical name | Otiorhynchus sulcatus | Hylotrupes bajulus | Abax parallelepipedus | Ips typographus | Lucanus cervus |
We present the representatives of each Käfer family in the following short portraits with tips on specific characteristics.
Weevil - Furrowed vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus)
Weevils are dreaded plant pests
Of around 1,000 occurring in Germany Species of weevils the furrowed vine weevil is the best-known representative. Distinguishing features are:
- 10 mm in size
- long trunk as a head extension
- black top with dark brown spots
The armor-like cover wings are striking eye and legs with a thickened middle segment.
Longhorn beetle - house longhorn beetle (Hylotrupes bajulus)
If a beetle has the addition “Bock” in its name, the alarm bells will ring. Many species in this family are feared wood pests, such as the house buck. This is how the beetle can be determined:
- 2-8 mm long and slender
- very long antennae (similar to the horns of an ibex)
- black with white flecks of hair on the wing-coverts
On closer inspection, small bumps or thorns can be seen on the pronotum as an additional distinguishing feature.
Ground Beetle - Large Broad Beetle (Abax parallelepipedus)
The ground beetle can grow up to 2cm
A splendid specimen from the ground beetle family is the large broad beetle. The native beetle can be identified by these properties:
- 16 to 21 mm in size
- black, broad body
- 2 bristles over the compound eyes
- Longitudinal grooves on the elytra
Because our protagonist is wrapped in a dark beetle robe, he is represented in the table above. Shiny colors such as gold-yellow, blue or purple are also popular in the Käfer family.
Bark beetle - letterpress printer (Ips typographus)
If you notice dark beetle shapes on the bark of conifers, it is very likely that you are seeing bark beetles. A typical family member is the printer:
- 4.5 to 5.5 mm in size
- Elytopes on the crash with 8 teeth
- silk matt dark brown colored
A solid armor that extends over the head is characteristic of the book printer.
Schröter - stag beetle (Lucanus cervus)
Stag beetles fight for their females
The encounter with a stag beetle makes our hearts beat faster, because the largest beetle in Germany is doing the honors. The native Schröter beetle can be determined from these attributes:
- 30 to 80 mm in size
- black-brown basic color with red-brown wings
- The hallmark of the males is "antlers" as a greatly enlarged upper jaw
Experience in the following video how Germany's largest beetle fights for the lady of the beetle in its heart. Ring free for the fascinating stag beetle:
Youtube
Identify colorful native beetles - 5 common species.
If you come across a colorful beetle in Germany, it usually comes from one of five common beetle families. The following table focuses on beetle beauties that cause a sensation in blue, yellow, green or red. A representative from each family has the task of making it easier for you to identify the beetle:
| Colorful families of beetles | Leaf beetle | Colored beetles | Ladybug | Jewel beetle | Soft beetle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Chrysomelidae | Cleridae | Coccinellidae | Buprestidae | Cantharidae |
| Shades | blue, yellow, red, green | colorful with stripes or dots | red, black, yellow | multi-faceted colors | red, orange, yellow, blue, black |
| size | 1-18 mm | 3-40 mm | 2-12 mm | 2-30 mm | 1.2-15 mm |
| body shape | ovate, arched | elongated | spherical | oblong-oval | elongated-flat |
| Special feature | ornate, colorful patterns | densely hairy | dotted wing | big eyes | soft body |
| Occurrence | on plant leaves | on trees, bushes | strongly arched body | on trees and bushes | Forests, meadows |
| Typical species | Colorado potato beetle | Bee beetle | Seven point | Linden splendor beetle | Common soft beetle |
| Botanical name | Leptinotarsa decemlineata | Trichodes apiarius | Coccinella septempunctata | Scintillatrix rutilans | Cantharis fusca |
The following short portraits summarize more detailed information on the ambassadors of local Beetle families:
Leaf beetle - Colorado beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)
The leaf beetle family struggles with a reputation for grouping numerous pests under one roof. The Colorado beetle is famous and notorious and you can recognize it by its appearance:
- 7 to 15 mm in size
- yellow-black striped
- yellow-orange pronotum with black dots
Incidentally, its voracious brood looks completely different. An insatiable one Colorado beetle larva is red with two rows of black dots on each side.
Colored beetle - bee beetle (Trichodes apiarius)
Colored beetles are not really colorful but bright red - black
The beetle family keeps what the name promises. The wonderful bee beetle proves this claim convincingly. Significant features for a correct determination are:
- 9 to 16 mm in size
- bright red with black horizontal stripes
- Head, pronotum and legs green or blue metallic
Ladybug - Seven Pointed (Coccinella septempunctata)
Germany's flying symbol of luck on six legs loves to eat aphids. For this reason, seven-point ladybugs are very welcome in any garden. This is what the favorite domestic beetle of all children looks like:
- 5 to 8 mm in size
- red wing with seven black dots
- black pronotum with white corners in front
For some time it was feared that Siebenpunkt would be displaced by the immigrant Asian ladybird (Harmonia axyridis). The experts from Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU) have found in recent years that Seven-point ladybirds benefit from the ongoing climate change and stand up against the Asiatic Competitors can hold their own.
Jewel beetle - linden jewel beetle (Scintillatrix rutilans)
The jewel beetle lives up to its name
With a little luck you can admire one of the most beautiful jewel beetles near Linden. You can recognize linden splendor beetles by this picturesque look:
- 9 to 15 mm in size
- Basic color metallic green
- Abdomen metallic blue
- Deck wing with shiny red-gold border
Soft beetle - Common soft beetle (Cantharis fusca)
Soft beetles are popularly called soldier beetles because of their colorful uniform. The common soft beetle sets a good example and is characterized by these distinguishing features:
- 11 to 15 mm
- dashing, slim body shape
- red base color, black wing
- Abdomen bright orange
The common soft beetle spices up its long, thread-like antennae with contrasting colors. The first links near the head shine in an elegant red. The remaining sensor segments are matt black.
Tips
Who is the prettiest in the Käfer country at home? Numerous species of beetles in Germany are fighting head-to-head for the answer. The gold rose beetle (Cetonia aurata) from the family has the best prospects for the title Scarab beetles, closely followed by iridescent jewel beetles, such as the native species cherry jewel beetle (Anthaxia candens). Bright red sealing wax Lily beetle (Lilioceris lilii) from the leaf beetle family are beautiful to look at, admittedly they feed on flowers and leaves, which significantly affects the chances of winning the title.
frequently asked Questions
What kind of beetles with long antennae are they?
The long-horned longhorn beetle family is huge
Several species of beetles show off their long antennae in Germany. The longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) are in charge, the antennae of which are significantly longer than their body length. In this regard, the house billy and conspecifics are the ibex among the native beetles. Furthermore, soft beetles (Cantharidae) carry impressively long antennae in front of them.
Can all domestic beetles fly?
The vast majority of domestic beetles can fly. Of course, a body with two pairs of wings is no guarantee that a beetle can actually fly. A prime example are black weevils (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) from the family of weevils (Curculionidae). The big black beetles have chosen to live on the ground in the course of evolution. In the course of this, the two armor-like cover wings have now grown together.
What characteristics can be used to distinguish beetles from other insects?
You can clearly distinguish a beetle from other insects by the structure of its body and wings. Visible from a beetle's body are the head, pronotum and winged wing. The body parts of the chest and abdomen that are recognizable in other insects form an optical unit under the wings of beetles. The flying machine itself is composed of two pairs of wings. The mostly hardened upper wings lie protectively over the membranous wings. The latter can only be seen when beetles are flying.
Tips
Some domestic insects appear in the beetle look and lead nature lovers on the black ice when determining. A prime example are large types of bedbugs, such as Fire bug (Pyrrhocoris apterus), strip bugs (Graphosoma lineatum) or the green stink bug (Palomena prasina). American bedbug beetles (Leptoglossus occidentalis) even bear the danger of confusion in their name. Those who know their way around will no longer fall for the deception maneuver. You can tell the five main differences between bedbugs and beetles here read up.
