The numerous orange hues and black patterns of orange beetles make them unusual creatures. Orange-colored beetles may be seen scuttling across the ground or flying over foliage in gardens. In your house, you may also find beetles with an orange hue. Tangerine-colored ladybugs are the most prevalent orange beetle species. Nonetheless, garden insects such as orange soldier beetles, scarab beetles, and longhorns are frequent.
Orange beetles are a harmless insect species in the majority of cases. Other orange-bodied beetles are helpful since they destroy garden and household pests, thus some varieties are nice. If they feel threatened, however, a few varieties of orange beetles may deliver a tiny bite.
Orange beetles come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each with its own set of traits. Understanding the nature of the orange beetle you have may help you recognize other related species and anticipate its behavior. Pictures of various kinds of orange beetles, as well as information on where to find them, are included in this identification guide.
Orange Beetle Identification
The size, patterns on the wing cases (elytra), type of antennae, pronotum (thorax), and body form distinguish orange beetles from other insects. Spots or stripes or irregular patterns cover the backs of certain orange beetles, while others have plain backs.
Orange beetles have six legs, two antennae, and wings, like all beetle species. The insect order Coleoptera includes orange beetles, as well as other beetle species. To help distinguish between distinct species, beetles are classified into genera and species. Beetles come in over 400,000 different varieties, some of which are painted orange and black.
Types of Orange Beetles — Identification Guide With Pictures
Let’s explore the identifying characteristics of the most frequent varieties of orange beetles.
Common Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva)
The common red soldier beetle has a distinctive black marking on its wing tips and is distinguished by its orange-red body. The flat body, black and orange antennae, gleaming orange head and thorax, and orange and black legs are all identifying characteristics of the slender oblong beetle.
The common red soldier beetle is 0.3 to 0.4 inch (8 to 10 mm) long. The beetle is known as the bloodsucker beetle because of its dark orange, sometimes red color. This harmless reddish-orange bug, on the other hand, will neither bite nor suck blood.
This species has a soft body, unlike most flying beetles with hard wing cases. Because it feeds on aphids and insect larvae, this orange beetle is considered a beneficial bug. The orange-colored bug is most common in grasslands throughout the summer.
Orange beetle identification
The elongated form, orange head, thorax, legs, and reddish-orange elytra distinguish the common red soldier beetle.
Red Pumpkin Beetle (Aulacophora foveicollis)
The red pumpkin beetle consumes gourd plants and has a lustrous orange-red or orange-yellow elytra, sharp head, and two black pinhead eyes. This little black beetle has slightly rounded wing cases, thin filiform antennae, and a black abdomen in addition to the dark orange color.
Beetles and their larvae may wreak havoc on crops. The red pumpkin beetle is 0.2 to 0.3 inch (5 to 8 mm) in length. Because of its appetite for vegetation, it’s a kind of leaf beetle. The pumpkin beetle gets its name from the fact that it feeds on plants in the gourd family, predominantly pumpkins. Cucumbers, squash, watermelon, and muskmelon are also eaten by them.
Orange beetle identification
The orangey-red oval wing cases, lustrous red thorax, and two prominent big black eyes on the side of its head are all identifying features of the red pumpkin beetle.
Goldenrod soldier beetle (Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus)
The goldenrod soldier beetle has black markings on its wing covers and thorax, giving it a long orange body. Each wing cover of the orange beetle is black, and its orange thorax has a black mark. Its head is also black. The beetle also has long black legs, in addition to its black and orange color.
The length of Goldenrod soldier beetles is 0.62″ (15 mm). During the summer, when they are most active, the flying beetles have orange soft wing covers and black oval patches that help them to be recognized. The beetles and their larvae hibernate in the dirt during the autumn.
Goldenrod soldier beetles may be found in grassy fields, meadows, and forests, and are also known as the Pennsylvania leatherwing. Goldenrod blooms and other late-blooming plants are populated with them. These omnivores, which are beneficial beetles, also eat caterpillar eggs and aphids.
Orange beetle identification
The orange elytra of the goldenrod soldier beetle are easily distinguished by two elongated brown-black oval patterns. It also has a slender, stretched-out appearance.
Asian Harlequin Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis)
There are color variations and some lack spots on the Asian harlequin lady beetle’s rounded orange body, which is marked with black and white spots. On the back of the rounded orange elytra, there are 19 black marks. The white ‘M’-shaped mark behind its glossy black head is, however, its most prominent feature.
On its thorax, it also possesses two white markings. The orange ladybug is 0.21″ to 0.33″ (5.5 to 8.5 mm) long and is also known as the multicolored Asian or Halloween beetle. Although its black markings distinguish it from other beetles, some orange beetles have just dull orange wing covers.
In North America, Indonesian harlequin beetles are ubiquitous. When they get into homes, they become a problem. They don’t transmit illness, despite their ability to inflict a small bite. Squishing the insects, on the other hand, may cause a yellowish mark on fabrics. Seal any cracks and spaces around fascia boards, windows, and doors to prevent Asian lady beetle infestations.
Orange beetle identification
With its rounded orange wing cases covered in black dots and a distinguishing white mark just above the wing covers, the Asian harlequin lady beetle is simple to identify.
Hadda Beetle (28-Spotted Potato Ladybug – Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata)
The little hadda beetle is a garden pest that looks like an orange ladybug with black markings. The heart-shaped body and stocky, short head of this little yellow or orange bug distinguish it. This orange beetle is a garden pest, unlike some ladybug species. The 28-spotted ladybug, like its name implies, eats at the nightshade family Solanaceae plant foliage and other plant leaves during the night.
Orange beetle identification
The rounded orange wing cases of the 28-spotted ladybug are covered in tiny black spots, which distinguish it.
Grapevine Beetle (Pelidnota punctata)
The grapevine beetle has four distinct crimson-brown markings along each side and is a big pale orange bug with few black lines and dots. With a thorax and two wing covers in the same hue, the brownish-orange or pale auburn beetle has an oval body. The insect has six orange-brown legs and a small head that is a darker reddish-brown color.
This scarab beetle is also known as the spotted June bug or spotted pelidnota bug. It is 1 inch (25 mm) long. In the summer, the dull orange bug feeds on grapevine leaves and grapes. The enormous insect, on the other hand, is not a pest since it does not harm crops. In the eastern United States, grapevine beetles are ubiquitous. Unfortunately, these flying insects may enter houses at night if they are attracted to lighting. The orange insects, on the other hand, are harmless.
Orange beetle identification
Grapevine beetles have a tiny triangular black mark between the top of their wing covers and are easily recognized by their light to dull orange color.
Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis)
The orange cardinal beetle has a red head and iridescent crimson-orange wing covers, as well as a shiny crimson oval thorax. Its body is reddish-orange with black legs and antennae. The black legs and pectinate-shaped antennae of this dark orange beetle are depicted in photographs.
Orange cardinal beetles with black heads exist in certain species. The average length of a red-orange cardinal beetle is 0.78″ (20 mm). In woodlands and gardens, orange beetles with black legs are frequently seen feeding on flower nectar. Little invertebrates are also devoured by these omnivore beetles.
Orange beetle identification
The plain reddish-orange elytra of orange cardinal beetles are devoid of any markings that distinguish them. They feature two lengthy black feathery or comb-like antennae and a crimson thorax and head.
Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)
The Colorado potato beetle is a leaf beetle with black and light orange stripes that may wreak havoc on crops. The orange or light-yellow striped beetle has black stripes around its round body. The Colorado potato beetle feeds on a variety of nightshade plants, in addition to potatoes.
The Colorado potato beetle features a rounded body with a distinctive orange-beige striped oval. The highly destructive beetle, which measures 0.24 to 0.43 inch (6 to 11 mm) long, is also known as the ten-lined potato beetle. The five strong black stripes on each wing cover distinguish the orange-light brown bugs. The potato beetle can cause a lot of damage to potato crops. A massive infestation may wipe out an entire crop in certain situations.
Orange beetle identification
The pale orange-beige and black stripes, flattened orange head with black markings, and two segmented antennae distinguish the small Colorado potato beetle.
Earth-Boring Scarab Beetle (Bolbocerasoma spp.)
Orange and black beetles with yellow antennae, the earth-boring scarab beetle (Bolbocerosoma tumefactum) is a tiny beetle. The black line down the middle of the wing cases of the little round beetles, with domed elytra, is unique. Furthermore, the tiny beetles have a black patch on the middle of their orange pronotum and distinctive brilliant yellow club antennae.
Orange and black earth-boring scarabs are 0.39 to 0.55 inch (10 to 14 mm) long and have a spherical form. The beetles have pitted lines on them in addition to black stripes on their orange wing covers. And they have fine setae on their orange and black legs.
These scarab beetles dig holes in the earth up to 9 feet (3 meters) deep, as their name suggests. Because tiny tank-like beetles feed on rotting plant debris, dung, and compost, they are important for soil health.
Orange beetle identification
The glossy orange thorax and elytra with black lines down the middle and sides of the earth-boring scarab beetle distinguish it easily. Two stumpy club-shaped antennae adorn its glossy black head.
Flower Longhorn Beetle (Steneltytrana emarginata)
The flower longhorn beetle has a dull orange head and thorax with black wings covers, as well as a jet-black thorax and head. The long antennae and elytra, which create a triangular form, are distinguishing characteristics of these orange and black beetles.
Throughout North America, these slender orange beetles are common. The flower longhorn beetle is 1″ to 1.37″ (25–35 mm) long and has an orange and black coloration. These unusually-shaped beetles are often seen on flowers or drinking fermented fruit. Their larvae consume rotting beech and elm wood, which helps promote biodiversity.
Orange beetle identification
The orange triangular elytra, extended thorax, and rounded head of the flower longhorn beetle distinguish it from other species. These insects have two large antennae, as do other species of longhorn beetles.
Six-Spotted Neolema Beetle (Neolema sexpunctata)
The six-spotted neolema beetle is a little orange insect with three black markings on each wing cover. It has a small reddish body and black markings. The thorax and head of the black-spotted orange bug are dark orange, with two large black eyes and two filiform antennae.
It might be easy to mistake the beetle for an orange ladybug because of its orange color and spotted elytra. The six-spotted neolema beetle is 0.23 to 0.35 inches (6 to 9 mm) in length. Spiderwort and dayflower plants are common hosts for the flying orange beetle, which can be found across the eastern United States.
Orange beetle identification
The leaf-eating six-spotted neolema beetle has shiny orange-red wing covers with six dots, six robust black legs, and a long black antennae that distinguishes it from other beetles.
Soft-Winged Flower Beetle (Anthocomus equestris)
The orange and black beetle with a bulging head has black thorax and abdomen, as well as orange and black wing covers. The beetle’s wing covers have a wide black stripe, a triangular black patch behind the thorax, and a black tail end. The little orange bug is 0.35 to 0.6 inches (9 to 15 mm) long.
This non-native flying beetle doesn’t become a pest or invade, despite its name. During the summer, the beetles prefer to feed on herbaceous plant blooms. Nonetheless, since they are drawn to lights, they may enter residences at night.
Orange beetle identification
The broad black band across the deep orange elytra distinguishes the soft-winged flower beetle. It also features a jet-black head, thorax, and antennae, as well as a black tip on its orange wing cases that extends beyond the case.
Spotted Asparagus Beetle (Crioceris duodecimpunctata)
The spotted asparagus beetle has short black antennae and a tiny reddish-orange body with numerous black marks. With a lustrous orange thorax, head, and two projecting black eyes, this orange beetle has an oval form. The orange beetle has orange and black legs and thick filiform antennae that are visible up close.
The spotted asparagus beetle is only 0.19 to 0.25 inches (5 to 6.5 mm) long. This species might be mistaken for a conventional ladybug due to its vivid orange color and speckled elytra. Asparagus plants and gourd family crops are attacked by these orange beetles. These beetles are a significant crop pest in some regions.
Orange beetle identification
The black spots on the bright orange elytra of the spotted asparagus beetle, as well as its bulging black eyes on the front of its head, are instantly recognizable.
Margined Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus marginatus)
The margined burying beetle has orange tipped antennae and orange spheres at the ends of its clubs. It is a huge orange and black bug with unique features. The orange elytra of this oblong beetle are bordered by broad black wavy stripes. The beetle’s pronotum and head are also shield-like, jet-black. The beetle is 0.51 to 0.78 inches (12 to 20 mm) long, with orange and black colors.
The way in which this black-banded orange beetle buries dead invertebrates is what distinguishes it. Cadavers are detected by orange-tipped antennae, which the beetles discover and bury. In this regard, the margined burying beetle plays a crucial function in the ecosystem by removing dead insects and tiny creatures from putrid muck.
Orange beetle identification
The orange, extended oval wing cases with black stripes running through them are distinguishing features of the margined burying beetle. It also has two little ball-like orange spheres at the tips of its two distinct antennae.
End Band Net-Winged Beetle (Calopteron terminale)
The end band net-winged beetle is an orange bug with two lengthy curved black antennae and black bands across the tips of its dull orange wing covers. It has lengthy orange and black wing covers. These fireflies-like flying beetles do not illuminate in the dark.
On the center of the elytra of certain net-winged beetles, there are large black marks. The 0.35” to 0.70” (9-18 mm) long orange and black net-winged beetle Deciduous woodlands in North America are its natural habitat. From July to September, the beetle is active.
Orange beetle identification
In comparison to its body, the end band net-winged beetle is distinguished by its huge orange and black wing covers. Longitudinal ridges and a broad band at the tips distinguish the orange elytra. The black legs and serrated antennae are additional identifying traits.
Hibiscus Harlequin Bug (Tectocoris diophthalmus)
The hibiscus harlequin bug is a flattened circular shield that has an orange flat body with black iridescent markings. The females are orange in color, while the males are orange with greenish iridescent spots. This is a characteristic of these beetles.
The metallic orange and greenish-blue insects are roughly 0.78 inches (20 mm) long and wide. Because they bite plant tissue and suck on plant juices, orange beetles are sometimes mistaken for bugs. Cotton, okra, hollyhock, mallow, and linden trees are among the plants that brightly colored beetles feed on.
Orange beetle identification
Females of the hibiscus harlequin have an orange color, while males have iridescent blue elytra with a spherical form.