The vivid scarlet red color of red beetles, or their wing covers, gives them a striking appearance. The scarlet lily beetle, red pumpkin beetle, red soldier beetle, and cocklebur weevil are among the various types of red beetles.
Ladybugs, also known as flying red beetles in the Coleoptera order, are another kind of red beetle. Grassy, wooded, and residential gardens are home to the majority of beetle species with red wing covers or bodies.
What kind of red beetle is it? The Coleoptera order of beetles has six legs. A pair of wings is encased in a hard, protective shell on the small red bugs. There are thousands of beetle species, some of which have vivid red patterns or appear bright red.
Identifying red beetles because they are tiny and scurry about can be challenging. The most well-known sort of red beetle is ladybugs, which have crimson red circular wing covers and black bodies. This article will help you identify them. Their forms, dimensions, and habits will all be described in detail, as well as red insect pictures, to help differentiate them.
How to Identify Red Beetles
Red beetles have bright red to black elytra (wing covers) that distinguishes them from other beetles. A crimson head, crimson legs, and crimson antennae are also found in certain red beetle kinds. The red soldier beetle has crimson and black limbs with black segmented antennas, which is the most frequent red bug.
examine the antennae of individual red beetle species to see if they’re clubbed or segmented. Next, look at the color of the body and its shape. Is the insect slender, stretched out, spherical, or something else? Lastly, note how big it is. The red beetle can be identified by these traits.
Types of Red Beetles (With Pictures) – Identification
The insect order Coleoptera contains several families of red beetles, each of which is named for a beetle family. Red weevils, scarab beetles, soldier beetles, and red ladybugs are all examples of red beetles. Let’s take a closer look at the beetles you’re most likely to come across with red bodies.
Scarlet Lily Beetle (Lilioceris lilii)
The scarlet lily beetle is a tiny red bug with black legs and antennae that measures 0.23 to 0.35 inch (6 to 9 mm). It has dimpled red elytra. It’s a little red bug with long legs, black antennae, and a black head.
The bug, sometimes known as the red lily beetle or lily leaf beetle, is commonly found in gardens. The elytra of the brilliant red scarlet lily beetle are long and oval. Beetle’s undersides of its wings, for example, are black. The crimson bug has a narrow thorax when compared to its wide abdomen, as seen up close.
The scarlet lily beetle can be found on Lilium and Fritillaria plants, as its name suggests. Lily leaves, stems, and flower buds are all devoured by the little red pests. Also, their yellow or brown larvae may defoliate lily plants, leaving them almost bare.
The Chrysomelidae family of leaf-eating beetles includes Scarlet lily beetles. Against green foliage, their crimson color makes them easy to see. Although having wings, this crimson insect crawls on plants rather than flying.
The lily leaf beetle’s glossy redwingcovers may look similar to the cardinal beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis), which has a shiny redwingcovers. The scarlet lily beetle has shiny, dimpled wings and 11-segmented antennae, whereas the red cardinal beetle has dull, unblemished wings and a longer antennae.
Red Beetle Identification
The scarlet lily beetle’s glossy red elytra, with a dimpled appearance, lengthy black antennae with 11 segments each, and black head and legs are all identifying traits.
Common Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis)
Except for the black legs and antennae, the common cardinal beetle is also known as the red-headed cardinal beetle. Spindly black legs and long, toothed, or comb-like antennae characterize red-headed cardinal beetles. Flying insects on flowers and tree bark are commonly consumed by cardinal beetles.
The cardinal beetle is difficult to distinguish from the scarlet lily beetle. The toothed antennae, dull red color, narrow wing cases, and diet of cardinal beetles (cardinal beetles eat insects rather than plants) are all distinguishing features.
Cardinal beetles come in three different shapes. Except for its legs and antennae, the common cardinal beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis) appears entirely red.
Because of its black head, the uncommon black-headed cardinal beetle (Pyrochroa coccinea) resembles a lily beetle. In the United States, the little red scarce cardinal (Schizotus pectinicornis) is only seen on rare occasions.
Cardinal beetles belong to the Pyrochroidae family of fire-colored carnivorous beetles that dwell in dead tree bark and rotting tree roots. The black headed cardinal beetle (Pyrochroa coccinea) has a crimson body with a black head, legs, and antennae.
Red Beetle Identification
The red head, thorax, and longwingcovers of the common cardinal beetle differentiate it. The red beetle also has massive black eyes and crimson beetle comb antennae.
Red Pumpkin Beetle (Aulacophora foveicollis)
The red pumpkin beetle eats on gourd plants and has a bright orange-red body that is 0.2″ to 0.3″ (5 – 8 mm) long with huge black eyes. The elytra are golden-red, the head and thorax are black, the abdomen is orange, and the antennae are spindly. The harmful red bug eats gourd-family plants.
Red pumpkin beetles feed primarily on pumpkin leaves, as their name suggests. Nevertheless, at all stages of their lives, the annoying orangey-red insects cause plant damage. The white grubs feed on roots and live in the soil.
Plant leaves are consumed by the red adult beetles, which cause defoliation. The Chrysomelidae family of beetles includes red pumpkin beetles.
These beetles eat crops and cause agricultural devastation. Watermelon, cucumber, muskmelon, and squash are other gourd plants that have red pests.
Red Beetle Identification
The bright-reddish-orange oval elytra, robust thorax, and tiny reddish head with huge black eyes are all identifying characteristics of the red pumpkin beetle.
Red Milkweed Beetle (Tetraopes tetrophthalmus)
The red milkweed bug is a ladybug-like insect with an elongated body and black dots that ranges in size from 0.3 to 0.6 inches (8 to 15 mm). Due to their vivid scarlet-red color and black markings on their wing covers, beetles are easy to spot.
Milkweed plants are consumed by herbivore beetles. The insect family Cerambycidae, also known as longhorn beetles, includes red milkweed beetles.
The red and black longhorn beetle’s long, arching, segmented black antennae are the identifying feature of this species. The black antennae of red milkweed beetles are close to the eyes, which is a characteristic of these insects.
These beetles feed on milkweed plants (Asclepias), hence the name red milkweed beetle. Because of the toxins present in milkweed sap, the beetle’s diet provides it with some defense. Being a poisonous beetle to predators due to its unpleasant flavor, the red milkweed beetle is dangerous.
The milkweed beetle’s vivid red hue also serves as a deterrent to insects that want to eat it. When startled, red milkweed beetles emit a shrill sound, and when they interact with other beetles, they emit a purring sound.
Red Beetle Identification
The bright red wing covers, thorax, and head with tiny black dots distinguish the spotted red milkweed beetle. The beetles, on the other hand, are easily mistaken with ladybugs (red flying beetles).
Red Ladybugs (Coccinellidae) — Red Flying Beetles
Ladybugs are tiny, spherical red-colored beetles with brilliant crimson, black-spotted wing covers that range from 0.03″ to 0.7″ (0.8 mm). They have been successfully introduced into states in the United States. The red color, black spots, and black head of ladybugs are all easily identifiable. The bodies of red ladybug beetles are usually dome-shaped, with six black legs.
Ladybugs, also known as ladybird beetles or lady beetles, are a kind of bug. A beneficial flying beetle species, the spotted red insects are a common sight. Aphids and scale insects are eaten by several ladybug species.
Ladybugs, on the other hand, are an invasive species that can harm crops. Several ladybug species have red spots with black dots, while others have red spots or yellow dots with black dots. The elytra of certain of these flying beetles are striped.
Red Beetle Identification
With its domed red wing covers and black markings, a ladybug is unmistakable.
Cocklebur Weevil (Rhodobaenus quinquepunctatus)
The cocklebur weevil is a little red beetle with black markings on its thorax and wing covers. It has a tiny black head with a long snout. The beetles are 0.19″ to 0.25″ (5 to 6 mm) in size and are black and red in color. This red beetle has a long, oval-shaped snout, much like all weevils. Moreover, the bug has two clubbed antennae and red legs.
Cocklebur weevils may be distinguished from ladybugs and red milkweed beetles by the coloring pattern, which is similar. Cocklebur weevils, for example, have a ladybug-like body that is thin and not rounded.
In addition, black on the nose and clubbed antennae distinguish them from milkweed beetles. Cocklebur weevils can wreak havoc on a garden if they have a big infestation of red and black cocklebur.
Ragweed, sunflowers, and cocklebur plants are all eaten by destructive pests. They prefer to hide in curled leaves and beneath flowers, so they are difficult to see in gardens.
Red Beetle Identification
The black dots on a bright red, extended thin body and long curving snout that cocklebur weevils use for feeding may be used to identify them.
Red Net-Winged Beetle (Dictyoptera aurora)
The red net-winged beetle has black head and antennae and a narrow, dark red body with ridges. The thorax of the red bug is square, and its head is black. Its antennae are segmented. The dark red slender beetle is distinguished by its unusual ridges that run lengthwise down the wing covers.
The beetle family Lycidae includes red net-winged beetles. The long, ribbed elytra and oddly shaped square to triangular heads distinguish these flying red beetles. The beetle’s scientific name, Aurora, is derived from the Roman goddess of dawn and refers to its brilliant red color.
Little insects, pollen, and nectar are commonly eaten by red net-winged beetles. Adult beetles may be found in rotting wood, as well as their white larvae. This insect isn’t a garden pest because it doesn’t sting or bite.
Red Beetle Identification
The vibrant red wing covers, segmented black antennae, small body, and capacity to fly are all identifying features of the red-net winged beetle.
Ninebark Calligraphy Beetle (Calligrapha spiraea)
The ninebark calligraphy beetle has a crimson crimson body with curving black lines down its center and a crimson crimson line down its middle. The body of this crimson and black beetle is spherical, oval, with a black thorax and head.
Orangey-red antennae are segmented. This species features red legs rather than black ones, unlike other red beetle kinds.
The tiny crimson beetle is 0.23 to 0.27 inches (6 to 7 mm) long and shines brightly. The scrawly black patterns on the crimson red wing coverings give it its popular and scientific names. The ninebark bushes are eaten by this species of leaf beetle.
Ladybugs and the red calligraphy beetle have a similar appearance. Its appealing black patterns, on the other hand, distinguish it. Calligraphy beetles come in a variety of shapes and sizes. However, the type of plant on which it grows usually distinguishes one species from another.
Red Beetle Identification
The glossy bright red elytra of the red ninebark calligraphy beetle are covered with curling black lines and dots, making them easy to spot.
Common Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva)
A black patch at the rear of the common red soldier beetle’s orange-red body, which is 0.3″ to 0.4″ (8 – 10 mm), distinguishes it from other species. The beetle’s head is distinguished by its lustrous orange-red head, black segmented antennae, and fine hairs. This red bug feeds on aphids, nectar, and pollen.
Because of its reddish color, the beetle is also known as the bloodsucker beetle. The other bug, on the other hand, doesn’t bite people and is thus innocuous: orange-red. This name is deceptive, as it suggests As shown in photos, the beetle’s black elytra has a white tip.
The red soldier beetle is a member of the Cantharidae insect family. Soldier beetles are insects with fleshy bodies that belong to this beetle family. In various languages, the glossy red beetle can be found in gardens, hedgerows, grasslands, and woodlands. The red-winged bug consumes daisies, asters, sunflowers, and hogweed. To mention a few, it’s also a valuable pollinator.
Red Beetle Identification
The orange-red color, segmented antennae with small orange patches, and orange and black legs are all characteristics of the common red soldier beetle.
Desert Blister Beetle (Lytta magister)
The desert blister beetle has a long reddish-orange body with a black oval head. Its head is red and its body is black. A dark orange or red head and thorax, a jet-black extended body, and orange and black legs are all common characteristics of the heat-loving beetle. Segmented black antennae can be found on the huge desert beetle.
In desert environments in southwestern North America, the flying red and black beetle swarms. Brittlebush blooms and leaves are consumed by these predators. Bee nests are attacked by the larvae, who are insectivorous.
In the Meloidae family, the beetle is known as a blister beetle. When it is under threat, it releases a poisonous, blister-causing substance. It can bite when it feels threatened, despite not being poisonous.
Red Beetle Identification
The bright reddish-orange head, thorax, legs, and glossy black abdomen distinguish the desert blister beetle.