Beetles of Virginia

Terrestrial Beetles

• The terrestrial beetles of Virginia are very diverse. Depending on their taxonomic family, terrestrial beetles may eat vegetation, other insects, nectar or carrion. They are found in many different habitats and in a range of sizes. The diversity of beetles in Virginia is an example of the success as a species of the order of Coleoptera.

Aquatic Beetles

• In Virginia, aquatic beetles belong to three families, Gyrinidae, Hapliplidae and Dytiscidae. These beetles trap a bubble of air that they carry with them as an air source as they swim underwater. To swim, they move their back legs, either in unison or by alternating left and right. Aquatic beetles feed on organic detritus on the pond bottom and on the aquatic larvae of other insects.

Pest Beetles

• Virginia is home to several beetles that are considered pests, as they attack various food crops. Among them are Japanese beetles, whose immature larvae also destroy turf and other plants by destroying their roots, as the larvae feed just below the surface of the soil. And cucumber beetles not only feed on food crops such as cucumber and pumpkin, but they also spread bacterial wilt, which can kill many plants.

New Species of Beetles

• So numerous and diverse are the species of beetles in the world that many species have not been described or named. It is even difficult to know the precise distribution of the known species of beetles. Even within Virginia, species are still being identified that are new to Virginia, and even new to science, and over time, it is not unrealistic to assume that even more types will be identified.