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How to Identify Beetles with White and Black Spots

Beetles are the largest order (Coleoptera) in the animal kingdom, with more than 350,000 named species. With such diversity, their colors, markings, size, habitats and food preferences range all over the spectrum. Beetles with black-and-white spots may belong to any number of families of beetles, so it's important for you to identify not only physical characteristics of the beetles but also what plant you found them on, the habitat they are in and what state or region you are in.

Things You'll Need

Small clear container with lid
Coin or object for determining size (slightly larger or roughly the same estimated size as the beetle)
Insect or beetle field guide (from store or local library)

Instructions

- 1
  Place the coin, measuring tape or other common object in the container. More than likely, the beetle will crawl on or beside the object so you can determine the size.
- 2
  Place the beetle in the clear container for observation.
- 3
  Make notes of any special characteristics. This might include the shape of the beetle's abdomen (elongate, round or dome-like as with the ashy gray ladybug beetle), length and shape of antennae (long-horned beetles, for example, have very long antennae that typically curve backward toward the body), any characteristic that sticks out (weevils, for example, have long curved beaks) and whether the spots are round, blotted or differently shaped.
- 4
  Use the identification thumb tabs in the field guide (if it has them) to determine which family your beetle might belong to. Some field guides may separate the beetles into families by color or other characteristics. If you find the picture of your beetle species, there should also be a detailed description of the beetle in the book.
- 5
  Contact your local or state university's cooperative extension service and ask to make an appointment with an entomology expert if you cannot find the beetle in the field guide. If you are close to the university itself, call the entomology department of the university. Oftentimes, the entomologist will be able to determine the species very quickly, whereas most laymen cannot simply because of the wide diversity of beetle species.

Nature