Green beetles are fascinating insects with smooth bodies, six legs, and two antennae. Some stunning green beetle species have iridescent colors and glittery metallic green bodies. Green June beetles (Cotinis nitida) are green-bodied beetles with a lustrous green body and bronze markings. They are the most common green-bodied beetles. Despite the fact that most beetles are harmless, beetle larvae have the potential to harm lawngrass, attractive plants, and even soft furnishings inside homes.
The phylum Arthropoda and the order Coleoptera are home to beetle species. Beetles have six legs, a three-part body with a head, thorax, and abdomen, and two antennae, as do all insects. Green beetles with elytra, which are their hardened wing cases, are also common.
The tiniest beetle is about 0.15” (4 mm) long, while the biggest is approximately 2″ (50 mm). Beetles with iridescent green colors, such as the mint leaf beetle or Japanese beetle, are easy to see in a landscape because of their stunning iridescence. Other green beetles that do not have a lustrous green abdomen, such as the pale green weevil, may be more difficult to distinguish in a garden because they blend in with foliage.
This article aims to help differentiate between several species of green beetles by providing an identification guide. You’ll get precise descriptions to aid identify the green bug you discovered on plants or in your home, in addition to pictures of green beetles.
Green Beetle Identification
Green beetles are distinguished by their habitat, antennae type (clubbed or serrated, pincers or mandibles near their mouth), and green color. The two hard green wing covers, which mean the wings won’t be visible from up close, may be seen. The beetle species’ body form makes it easy to distinguish in some situations.
Green, brown, and black beetles are not insects in the scientific sense, despite how many people refer to them as such. The order Hemiptera contains the true bugs. Shield bugs and stinky bugs, for example, seem to be pale green beetles. True bugs, on the other hand, do not belong to the beetle order Coleoptera.
Types of Green Beetles (With Pictures) — Identification
Let’s take a closer look at some of the green beetles with lustrous metallic green bodies, including ones. Others, on the other hand, have dull dark green wing cases.
Green June Beetle (Cotinis nitida)
Green June beetles have antennae that split at the end and a bronze gold body with emerald green highlights. The elytra of the green beetles, which are iridescent green and brown on the underside, and green on top, are also gold-colored. The green insects have short, dark brown antennae that split near the tip, which you may also see.
Green June beetles are a 1″ (25 mm) long and 0.5″ (13 mm) broad beetle that can be found in large numbers. These active mid-summer flying green beetles have a name that says it all. Fruit like apples, pears, peaches, plums, and nectarines are eaten by metallic green beetles.
They are sometimes known as fig-eaters because they prefer figs. The figeater beetle (Cotinis mutabilis) is, nonetheless, a distinct but related species. Green June beetle larvae are cream-colored and grow to be up to 2 inches (5 cm) long. When they feed on roots, the fat, C-shaped grubs may harm lawns, turfgrass, and decorative plants.
Green beetle identification
The velvety green body with dull bronze or gold edges and shading are distinguishing characteristics of the green June beetle. In mid to late summer, green beetles may be seen flying or crawling on the ground or plants.
Green Fruit Beetle (Cotinis mutabilis)
The green fruit beetle, sometimes known as the western green beetle or figeater beetle, has a huge metallic green body with bronze edges and clubbed antennae. The horn-like protrusion on the head, huge legs, and enormous size are additional identifying traits of the green fruit beetle.
The length of the green fruit beetle ranges from 0.75 to 1.3 inches (20 to 34 mm). Adults will frequently eat sweet, soft-skinned fruits. Grape, peach, pear, tomato, and figeater beetles are among the fruit types that feed on them. Because of their sweetness, they are also attracted to fermenting or ripening fruit. The larvae of green fruit beetles and June beetles are different in that they don’t harm lawns. As a result, instead of being an invasive pest, green fruit beetles are merely regarded a minor nuisance in residential gardens.
Green beetle identification
The dull, metallic green body, brilliant iridescent underside, and black clubbed antennae distinguish the green fruit beetle from other scarab beetles.
Japanese Beetles (Popillia japonica)
Each side of the Japanese beetle has white tufts with iridescent green and copper hues. The unique five white tufts along the base of a Japanese beetle’s abdomen are an instantly noticeable characteristic. The invasive Japanese beetle is distinguished from similar-looking June beetles by its white markings.
The Japanese beetle is 0.3 to 0.4 inches (8 to 11 mm) long and wide, with a maximum width of 0.27 inch (7 mm). Lawns and tree and plant foliage are devastated by iridescent green bug populations. Plant foliage skeletonized by adult Japanese beetles can make trees and shrubs look unsightly in a matter of minutes.
Moreover, Japanese beetle larvae feed on lawn grass roots and survive in the soil. The larvae emerge and grow from Japanese beetle eggs placed in the earth. Eventually, when they’ve grown up, Japanese beetles climb out of the earth to cause havoc. Unfortunately, eradicating Japanese beetles and preventing them from destroying your lawn is made difficult by their beetle life cycle.
Green beetle identification
The bright green and bronze abdomen, green thorax, and white tufts on the sides of the Japanese beetle distinguish it from other beetles.
Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela sexguttata)
The metallic-green beetle with blue-green legs and serrated antennae may be recognized by its long legs and six white markings on the rear body. Because of the conspicuous cream-colored spots on its elytra, the common green ground beetle is also known as the six-spotted green tiger beetle.
Its long spindly legs and huge mandibles are other identifying characteristics. The 0.55″ (14 mm) large, swift-moving reflective green tiger beetle is an adult. It feeds on little arthropods such as caterpillars, spiders, and ants and is typically found in deciduous woods. The green tiger beetle’s speed is another behavioral habit. It can fly if necessary and is one of the quickest ground beetles.
Green beetle identification
Due to its lustrous green body, long legs, and pale cream-colored markings on its wing cases, the green tiger beetle is unmistakable.
Tansy Beetle (Chrysolina graminis)
The tansy beetle is a tiny segmented antennae and short legs with a stunning metallic green and gold coloring. The tansy beetle’s straight segmented antennae, tiny stumpy legs, and green shiny head and thorax are other unique characteristics. The elytra of the dazzling beetle are covered in little punctuations, as seen from close up.
The tansy plant, where the tansy beetle feeds, is why it gets its name. The tansy beetle, which measures 0.27 to 0.47 inches (7 to 12 mm), is a tiny round beetle. Green beetles are found across Europe and in the United Kingdom, from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean Sea.
Green beetle identification
The lustrous tansy beetle has a glistening metallic rounded green body that sparkles in gold hues and is a distinctive green insect.
Green Scarab Beetle (Heterorrhina elegans)
A green scarab beetle has a bright emerald-green head, thorax, and wing cases with little antennae. The back of this giant green bug has a distinct triangular pattern, making it look like a coffee bean. At certain angles, the beetle’s elytra appear to have a reddish tint to their bright green coloration.
Green scarab beetles, 0.78″ to 1.18″ (20–30 mm) long, have a glossy sheen and are found in the genus Heterorrhina elegans. The beetles’ lustrous green elytra are smooth, with no pitting, according to close-up photographs. It has six green legs with little spines and clubbed antennae. In southern India, these green beetles are common.
Green beetle identification
A lustrous green beetle with an oval body, tiny antennae, and a pair of wing covers, the green scarab beetle is a glossy green beetle.
Mint Leaf Beetle (Chrysolina herbacea)
Due to its dazzling metallic green and gold wing cases, head, and thorax, the little mint leaf beetle is a type of leaf beetle that is easy to spot. The beetle’s coloration might be coppery, purple, blue, or red depending on the species. The green insect has metallic gold and green legs and segmented antennae, with lines of pits on its shiny back.
The mint leaf beetle is 0.25 to 0.39 inches (6.5 to 10 mm) in length. In damp or marshy areas, you may frequently find the tiny metallic green beetle feeding on mint plants. Other herbs, such as basil, thyme, and catmint, have also been discovered to be beetle-vectored.
Green beetle identification
The mint leaf beetle has a coppery body with an almost mirror-like sheen that is bright green in color.
False Oil Beetle (Oedemera nobilis)
The metallic green false oil beetle has an extended narrow body, a slender shiny green head, and thorax; it also has two long antennae. Males (left) and females (right) The tapered wing covers that expose some of the wings are a distinguishing feature of this slender green bug. Metallic green is the most common color of false oil beetles, although golden or coppery shine are also present.
The beetles are 0.23 to 0.43 inches (6 to 11 mm) long, with a sleek, glossy green color. Beetles, which are beneficial pollinators, are often seen on flowers. Apart from the hind legs, both male and female false oil beetles appear identical. The male species has enlarged hind legs, making it unmistakable from the female species, which is also known as the thick-legged flower beetle.
Green beetle identification
The green false oil beetle is a bright metallic bug with a golden coppery sheen that is also known as the swollen-thighed bug.
Rose Chafer Beetle (Cetonia aurata)
The rose chafer beetle has a V-shaped pattern on its back with creamy white lines and short antennae, which distinguishes it from other species. Moreover, it features short, clubbed antennae, green spiny legs, and a rather small, square-shaped head in combination with its shiny green color.
The rose chafer beetle is 0.66 to 0.78 inch (17 to 20 mm) long, depending on the variety. During the summer and fall, you may find rose chafer beetles in woodlands and grasslands feasting on flowers.
Green beetle identification
Thin white lines on a dark green metallic body distinguish the rose chafer beetle.
Pale Green Weevil Beetle (Polydrusus impressifrons)
The green type of beetle with brown legs has a ridged body with huge black eyes. Its elytra have linear ridges, and its antennae are small and long. A small green beetle with a pale green color that grows to 0.27 inches (7 mm). In the spring and summer, you’ll see the insects feasting on tree leaves. The harm that the beetles cause, on the other hand, is irrelevant.
Green beetle identification
The longitudinal ridges on the light green wingcases of the pale green weevil, as well as its brown legs, identify it.
Golden Ground Beetle (Carabus auratus)
The golden ground beetle is a long, brownish-legged and antennae beetle with iridescent green skin that extends for a long time. In comparison to its metallic, oval body and square thorax, the large green beetle has long legs. The golden ground beetle has orangey-brown legs, in contrast to the bright green color.
The common garden pests snails and the Colorado potato beetle are eaten by the golden ground beetle, which ranges in length from 0.66 to 0.86 inches (17 to 20 mm).
Green beetle identification
The orange-brown legs, mandibles, and antennae of the golden ground beetle are a bright green metallic oval to tear-shaped body.
Green Dock Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula)
Green dock beetles have a smooth metallic green body with glossy antennae and glossy green legs, and they are common in the United Kingdom. The green body of this tiny beetle gives off a golden sheen, as seen in some photographs. Depending on the light, iridescent wing cases may appear blue, red, violet, or purple.
Males are considerably smaller than females, with the former at 0.27″ (7 mm) in length. Green sorrel beetle is the name given to the insect because it feeds on dock leaves and looks like sorrel.
Green beetle identification
The little rounded green dock beetle’s metallic green body and light green antennae sparkle. The word reen is a weak but prevalent term.
Tortoise Beetle (Cassida viridis)
The green tortoise beetle has lime-green coloration, short legs, and antennae that are easily distinguishable. Short feet, thread-like antennae, and a black underside characterize this almost round beetle. Pictures of this unusual-looking bug reveal punctuations on the wing cases, which are up close.
The green tortoise beetle is distinguished from other tortoise beetles by the lack of any distinguishing markings. The body of the green tortoise beetle appears to be spherical and measures 0.31 to 0.39 inches (8 to 10 mm). Tortoise beetles are known for their tendency to behave like tortoises when they are frightened. They hunker down on the plant leaves, retracting their feet and antennae.
Green beetle identification
The lime-green spherical body, tiny feet, and antennae of the green tortoise beetle make it easy to identify.
Green Protea Beetle (Trichostetha fascicularis)
The green protea scarab beetle is a metallic green scarab beetle that eats a variety of fruit and has black head with white lines and orange hairs. Because of its black head, thorax, and triangular form at the top of its wing cases, green protea beetle is simple to identify.
Two pale stripes may also be seen on its thorax. The green protea beetle has a round body with an unusual oval shape. It is 1″ (25 mm) long. The ridges, distinct punctures, and tufts of orange hairs surrounding the emerald-green wing cases are distinctive.
Green beetle identification
The protea beetle has a lustrous dark green body, a black head and thorax, and orangey tufts of hair strewn around its body.