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How to Identify Big Beetles in Virginia

Trying to identify beetles is not as simple as it may sound; beetles are the largest order in the animal kingdom. In Virginia, some species do grow quite large, some well over 2 inches long. Considering the great variety in Virginia's beetles, any beetle over 1 inch long can be considered big, although some might argue that even some smaller beetles are big. While you may be able to identify which family the beetle belongs to through observation, consider borrowing an insect or beetle field guide from your library or consulting an entomology expert at a Virginia University or cooperative extension office.

Things You'll Need

Plastic tweezers
Notepad
Small clear container
Measuring tape or ruler
Insect or beetle field guide or reference book

Instructions

- 1
  Grab the beetle gently around the abdomen with your fingers or the plastic tweezers.
- 2
  Observe the beetle, noticing distinguishing characteristics such as antennae, color and markings. Large male stag beetles have antler-like jaws, sometimes longer than the head and prothorax combined. May beetles (also called Junebugs) belong to the scarab beetle family and are reddish-brown with club-like antennae. Large longhorn beetles, such as giant root borers and some sawyers, grow up to 3 inches long and have long, curved antennae.
- 3
  Place the beetle in the container along with a 4-inch section of measuring tape or a ruler. Observe the beetle more, if you desire, and try to find more distinguishing characteristics.
- 4
  Make a note of where you found the beetle, whether it was feeding on something, whether you found it in the day or at night and what time of year it was.
- 5
  Find the beetle, to the best of your ability, in a field guide dedicated to insects or beetles. Many field guides have picture keys and detailed descriptions of the insect in question.
- 6
  Contact your local Virginia Tech or other university cooperative extension office and ask to speak with an entomology expert. You will be able to take your specimen into the office for the expert to look at. For the address of your local extension office, see resources.

Nature