Beetles of North Carolina
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Trechus balsamensis
checklist_number: 6011010026.00		One of 82 species in this genus that have been recorded in North America north of Mexico, 42 of which occur in North Carolina (Bosquet, 2012). Trechus balsamensis belongs to subgenus Microtrechus and was included in the Nebulosus Species Group by Barr (1979). In addition to balsamensis, Bosquet (2012) includes 21 species in this group, 18 of which occur in North Carolina and the rest in Tennessee. "Closely similar to nebulosus" (Barr, 1962). Members of this genus generally show too little variation in pattern for standard photographs to be used to identify particular species....Waterrock Knob is 6,293', with the summit supporting a stand of Spruce-fir Forest....Predatory on small insects and other invertebrates......[S1]GH [G1][SR]NatureServe (accessed 2021-01-20) considers this species to be possibly extinct However, it was recorded in 2004 by Donabauer (2005b) and its current status needs to be determined. As a species known ...
Photinus pyralis
checklist_number: 62001010027.00		A round or diamond-shaped dark spot is located in the center of the pronotum and surrounded on three sides by a pink shade (Faust, 2017). The lateral edge of the pronotum is yellow but the flange abov...............
Photuris versicolor
checklist_number: 62002019056.00		Members of this complex have a dark arrow or anchor-shaped bar in the center of the pronotum, bordered by pink and outwardly edged with yellow. The elytra are brownish and in addition to their pale ma...............
Pyractomena borealis
checklist_number: 62001014004.00		The pronotum has a black edge and a prominent central dark triangular mark, outwardly bordered by pink (Faust, 2017). The elytra are dark and very narrowly edged with pale yellow. Males have two pale...This is a forest species, inhabiting both hardwood and mixed stands (Faust, 2017). Larvae pupate in bark crevices, with large diameter tuliptrees, oaks, and hickories frequently used, with the same in......Adults dwell mainly up in the canopy but larvae and pupae can be found from 3-10' above the ground during the winter (Faust, 2017)....S3S5G5...
Pyractomena lucifera
checklist_number: 62001014010.00		The pronotum of this species has a narrow central dark bar. The pink area that borders this bar is wide on the posterior half of the pronotum but forms just a narrow edge towards the anterior. The rem...This species inhabits freshwater marshes, especially where cattails are present (Faust, 2017)...Larvae perch close to the water line on cattails, water hyacinths, and other emergent marsh plants. They can capture prey both above and below the water line. In addition to arthropods, they have been...The males can be observed producing their mating flashes as they fly just over the tops of cattails and other marsh vegetation....S2S4GU...
sciNametaxonomic_commentsid_commentshabitatdietobservation_methodsstate_protectionS_rankG_rankstate_statusfed_statusstatus_comments
Phausis reticulata
Blue Ghost
checklist_number: 62001008007.00		This species is sexually dimorphic: males are normally formed beetles but females are larviform and flightless. Males are brownish gray, with a pair of pale spots on the pronotum; the elytra are unmar............S2S4G4...
Lucidota punctata
checklist_number: 62001003003.00		A very small, black firefly. The elytra are unmarked and the pronotum has a pair of small, ruby-red triangles; in L. atra, pink and yellow stripes occur, covering the entire dorsal surface of the pron...Moist, open deciduous and mixed forests (Faust, 2017)......Adults of this species are diurnal and do not flash. Like L. atra, they fly slowly and low to the ground (Faust, 2017)...As with other North Carolina insects, no state laws provide them any protection. Permits must be obtained, however, to collect them in State Parks and other nature preservesS3S4G5...
Lucidota atra
checklist_number: 62001003001.00		The elytra are completely black, unlike most night-flying fireflies, which have a yellow outer margin. The pronotum has a central black area -- sometimes covering most of the dorsal surface -- that is...This species occurs in open woodland and shaded open areas (Faust, 2017)......This species is diurnal and does not flash. It flies fairly low and is easily captured using a net (Faust, 2017)...As with other North Carolina insects, no state laws provide them any protection. Permits must be obtained, however, to collect them in State Parks and other nature preservesS4S5G5...
Ellychnia corrusca
Winter Firefly
checklist_number: 62001002006.00		The pronotum is dark centrally, bordered by pink crescents followed by an outer yellow edge. The elytra are dark and possess three to four indistinct longitudinal ridges. Fine hairs on the elytra prod...This species is associated with large hardwood trees but occurs in both closed-canopy forests and open parklands where trees may be fairly isolated....Adults feed on sap and flower nectar (Rooney and Lewis, 2000)...This species is diurnal and does not produce a flash (larvae can glow). Individuals can be found during the day by searching tree trunks....As with other North Carolina insects, no state laws provide them any protection. Permits must be obtained, however, to collect them in State Parks and other nature preservesS4S5G5...
Saperda lateralis
Red-Edged Saperda
checklist_number: 121003040007.00		......Larvae feed on dead hardwood trees and shrubs (Yanega, 1997). Lingafelter (2007) lists Hickory, Elm, Basswood, Ash, Oak, Maple, and Poison Ivy..........
sciNametaxonomic_commentsid_commentshabitatdietobservation_methodsstate_protectionS_rankG_rankstate_statusfed_statusstatus_comments
Aegomorphus quadrigibbus
checklist_number: 121003003003.00		......Larvae feed on soft, decayed hardwoods (Yanega, 1997). Lingafelter (2007) lists Maple, Birch, Hickory, Chestnut, Hackberry, Redbud, Beech, Tuliptree, Oak, Elm and others.......S3S4GNR...
Eutrichillus biguttatus
checklist_number: 121003016001.00		......Larvae feed on pine branches (Yanega, 1996; Lingafelter, 2007)......S3S4GNR...
Methia necydalea
checklist_number: 121002034001.00		......Larvae have been recorded feeding on Live Oak (Yanega, 1996) and Willow Oak (Lingafelter, 2007)..........
Metacmaeops vittata
checklist_number: 121004024001.00		......Larvae feed on Tulip Tree and Chestnut (Yanega, 1996; Lingafelter, 2007). Adults visit many species of flowers, particularly Grape.........
Xylotrechus colonus
checklist_number: 121002068003.00		......Larvae feed on the bark or under it of virtually all hardwoods and pines in the East (Yanega, 1996). Hickory and Beech are especially attacked (Lingafelter, 2007)....Attracted to UV lights (Yanega, 1996)......
sciNametaxonomic_commentsid_commentshabitatdietobservation_methodsstate_protectionS_rankG_rankstate_statusfed_statusstatus_comments
Tragidion coquus
checklist_number: 121002066001.00		...............
Saperda candida
Round-headed Apple Tree Borer
checklist_number: 121003040002.00		......Larvae feed on the live wood of several species of woody plants, mainly in the Rosaceae, including Apple, Crabapple, Hawthorn, Quince (Yanega, 1996; Lingafelter, 2007). .........
Clytus ruricola
checklist_number: 121002016002.00		......Larvae feed on decaying hardwoods, particularly Maple (Yanega, 1996). Lingafelter (2007) adds Birch, Hickory, Beech, Oak, Basswood, and others. Adults visit flowers..........
Typocerus zebra
checklist_number: 121004038010.00		......Larvae feed on pines (Yanega, 1996; Lingafelter, 2007). Adults visit the flowers of many shrubs and herbs..........
Knulliana cincta
checklist_number: 121002030001.00		......Larvae feed on the dry branches of Oak, Hickory, Willow and other hardwoods (Yanega, 1996; Lingafelter, 2007)..........
sciNametaxonomic_commentsid_commentshabitatdietobservation_methodsstate_protectionS_rankG_rankstate_statusfed_statusstatus_comments
Sarosesthes fulminans
checklist_number: 121002058001.00		......Larvae feed primarily on Oak, Chestnut, and Walnut (Lingafelter, 2007).........
Pidonia vibex
checklist_number: 121004027004.00		The key characters given for P. ruficollis by Lingafelter (2007) still apply but all specimens with pale stripes on the elytra are now considered to belong to (Androw, 2017, in Bu...............
Parandra polita
checklist_number: 121005002001.00		......Larvae feed on the decaying heartwood of Hickory, Tuliptree, and Beech (Yanega, 1996; Lingafelter, 2007)...Adults are attracted to UV lights...S2S4[GNR]...
Cicindela ancocisconensis
Appalachian Tiger Beetle
checklist_number: 6006004047.00		One of 38 species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Pearson et al., 2015), 12 of which have been recorded in North Carolina...This species primarily inhabits shady, sandy or silty margins of mountain streams and rivers (Knisley and Schultz, 1987). Larval burrows have been found in dry sand or silt deposits located 1-5 meters...Predacious, presumably feeding primarily on a wide variety of small, riparian insects and other arthropods...Adults are well camouflaged on their wet sand and silt habitats but are quite active during the day, when their movements make them easy to spot...This species is listed as Significantly Rare by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, which gives it some value in identifying priority natural areas for conservation but does not give it any sort of legal protection. Nor is protection provided by either the Federal or State Endangered Species Acts. While all species are eligible for federal protection, the populations of this species are still considered relatively secure at the national level, and in the case of North Carolina endangered species protection, no insects even qualify for statewide protection no matter how endangered they might be within the state. This is markedly different from the case of vertebrates, molluscs, or crustaceans, all of which may receive protection from hunting, collection, or other forms of exploitation depending on their state conservation status. Individual state agencies -- such as the Division of Parks and Recreation and Wildlife Resources Commission -- can nonetheless require permits for collecting insects on lands they own or manage. The same is true for other types of nature preserves.S1S2G3SRThis is a globally uncommon species that has declined significantly in some parts of its range and appears to be continuing to decline (NatureServe Explorer, 2018). We currently know of only six recor...
Typocerus velutinus
checklist_number: 121004038009.00		......Larvae feed on various species of decaying hardwoods, including Birch, Poplar, Oak, and Hickory (Lingafelter, 2007). Adults are attracted to many species of wildflowers..........
sciNametaxonomic_commentsid_commentshabitatdietobservation_methodsstate_protectionS_rankG_rankstate_statusfed_statusstatus_comments
Strangalia bicolor
checklist_number: 121004034002.00		......Larvae feed on Maples and Oaks (Lingafelter, 2007). Adults are attracted to many species of wildflowers..........
Acmaeops discoideus
checklist_number: 121004001001.00		...Our one record comes from a mixed stand of hardwoods and pines in the Piedmont....Larvae feed on Pines (Yanega, 1996; Lingafelter, 2007)......SHS1GNR...
Arhopalus rusticus
checklist_number: 121001001002.00		...Our few records come from the low mountains and western Piedmont, in areas where White Pine is the most common species of conifer. However, it is not limited to feeding on that species....Larvae feed on the roots and bases of Pine species, including dead pines (Yanega, 1996; Lingafelter, 2007). This species has become a pest in areas such as Australia and South America where it has bee......S2S3GNR...
Stenelytrana emarginata
checklist_number: 121004030001.00		...Most of our records seem to come from floodplains or the vicinity. However, we have at least one from the summit of a monadnock....Larvae feed on decaying hardwoods, with Elm, Beech, Tuliptree, Gum, Chestnut, and Maple specifically listed (Yanega, 1996; Lingafelter, 2007)......S3S4GNR...
Necydalis mellita
checklist_number: 121004025001.00		...Our records come mainly from stands of upland hardwoods, but including possibly both mesic and dry-xeric habitats....Larvae feed on the soft, dead heartwood of Oak, Chestnut, and rarely Pine (Yanega, 1996; Lingafelter, 2007).......S3S4GNR...
sciNametaxonomic_commentsid_commentshabitatdietobservation_methodsstate_protectionS_rankG_rankstate_statusfed_statusstatus_comments
Brachyleptura circumdata
checklist_number: 121004008001.00		...Our records come mainly from the Mountains but include sites at lower elevations than where Spruce occurs. The habitats may primarily represent cove forests, with Hemlocks and White Pines both possibl...Larvae feed on Spruce and possibly Pines (Yanega, 1996; Lingafelter, 2007)......S2S3GNR...
Bellamira scalaris
checklist_number: 121004007001.00		...Most of our records come from upland habitats....Larvae feed on decaying hardwoods and pines (Yanega, 1996). Lingafelter (2007) specifically lists g Poplar, Hickory, Willow, Maple, Tuliptree, and Birch. Adults visit flowers of various species....Comes to blacklights but adults are also active diurnally and can be found on flowers....S3S4G5...
Anthophylax hoffmanii
checklist_number: 121004005003.00		...Lingafelter (2007) describes this as a highly localized species, known from high elevation habitats in the Southern Appalachians. Our one record comes from Mt. Mitchell....Larvae probably feed on Fraser Fir and possibly Red Spruce (Lingafelter, 2007)......[SR]SHGNRThis species is known in North Carolina only from a single record dating to 1924. It appears to be a narrowly distributed species occurring in high elevation conifer forests of the Southern Appalachia...
Anthophylax cyaneus
checklist_number: 121004005002.00		...Our one record comes from along the Blue Ridge Parkway, with cove forests the likely habitat....Larvae feed on various hardwood (Yanega, 1996). Lingafelter (2007) specifically lists Maple, Birch, Serviceberry, Chestnut, and Beech; some conifers may also be used and Acer spicatum may be a preferr......S1S2G5...
Anthophylax attenuatus
checklist_number: 121004005001.00		...Our one records from a known site comes from a stand of high-elevation hardwood forest....Larvae feed on moist decaying hardwoods, including Maple, Beech, Hop-hornbeam, and Poplar (Yanega, 1996; Lingafelter, 2007).......S1S2G5This is a primarily northern species whose populations in the North Carolina mountains may represent Pleistocene relicts....
sciNametaxonomic_commentsid_commentshabitatdietobservation_methodsstate_protectionS_rankG_rankstate_statusfed_statusstatus_comments
Analeptura lineola
checklist_number: 121004003001.00		...This species may be primarily associated with wet-mesic stands of hardwoods but not enough information exists on the habitats where this species has been collected in the state....Larvae feed on various hardwoods, including Birch, Ironwood, Hop-hornbeam, and Pines (Yanega, 1996; Lingafelter, 2007). Adults visit many species of flowers.......S4S5G5...
Ecyrus dasycerus
checklist_number: 121003014001.00		...Our records appear to come mainly from upland habitats, including Dry-xeric Maritime Forests, Monadnock Forests, and other stands of upland oak-hickory forests. ...Larvae feed on a wide range of tree species, especially Oaks and Hackberries (Yanega, 1996; Lingafelter, 2007)......S3S4GNR...
Saperda tridentata
checklist_number: 121003040012.00		...Habitat information is largely missing from the available records from North Carolina. One semi-naturally wooded residential area in the Piedmont has two records, with Ulmus alata probably the closest...Larvae feed on dead and dying Elms (Yanega, 1996; Lingafelter, 2007)......S3S4G5...
Aegomorphus modestus
checklist_number: 121003003001.00		...Our records come from a wide range of habitats, from low mountains and monadnocks (e.g., Pilot Mountain) to Coastal Plain lowland forests and woodlands (e.g., Lake Waccamaw State Park). Semi-natural, ...Larvae feed on a broad range of soft decaying hardwoods and pines (Yanega, 1996). The following trees are specifically mentioned by Lingafelter (2007): Birch, Hickory, Chestnut, Beech, Ash, and Pinus.......S4S5G5...
Graphisurus despectus
checklist_number: 121003018001.00		Head and body gray or light reddish brown with a coating of suberect hairs on the elytra (Lingafelter, 2007). Less mottled than Graphisurus fasciatus and lacks the large patches of black found ......Polyphagous on hardwood trees, with a preference for Hickories (Yanega, 1996; Lingafelter, 2007).........
sciNametaxonomic_commentsid_commentshabitatdietobservation_methodsstate_protectionS_rankG_rankstate_statusfed_statusstatus_comments
Graphisurus fasciatus
checklist_number: 121003018002.00		......Larvae are polyphagous on hardwood trees, including oaks; also on Pines (Yanega, 1996; Lingafelter, 2007).........
Tetraopes melanurus
checklist_number: 121003046001.00		............S2S4GNR...
Tetraopes tetrophthalmus
checklist_number: 121003046004.00		............S4S5G5...
Monochamus notatus
Northeastern Sawyer
checklist_number: 121003029003.00		Sawyers are large beetles with very long antennae. Monochamus notatus is grayish brown with relatively obscure mottling; patches of white on the elytra are restricted to the anterior and posterior thi......Larvae feed on dead and dying conifers, especially Pines (Yanega, 1996)......S4S5G5...
Cicindela hirticollis
Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle
checklist_number: 6006004020.00		One of 38 species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Pearson et al., 2015), 12 of which have been recorded in North CarolinaMost individuals possess three complete maculations. However, variation in the thickness and/or completeness of these markings often occurs among individuals within a population, as illustrated by som...Most of our records come from beaches on barrier islands or other tidewater shorelines. Knisley and Schultz (1997) also list the shorelines of large rivers and lakes. In all these cases, wet sands app...Predacious, presumably feeding on a wide variety of small insects and other beach invertebrates...This species is well-camouflaged against wet-sand substrates, but is often found in large numbers where movements of masses of individuals make them conspicuous (Knisley and Schultz, 1997)....As with other North Carolina insects, no state laws provide them any protection. Permits must be obtained, however, to collect them in State Parks and other nature preserves[S2S3]G5T4[W3]This species often co-occurs with Habroscelimorpha dorsalis and like that species appears to be declining due to barrier shoreline development and to trampling of larval habitat due to intensive recre...
sciNametaxonomic_commentsid_commentshabitatdietobservation_methodsstate_protectionS_rankG_rankstate_statusfed_statusstatus_comments
Heterachthes quadrimaculatus
checklist_number: 121002027002.00		......Larvae feed on Hickories and occasionally Tuliptree (Yanega, 1996)......S3S4GNR...
Monochamus carolinensis
Carolina Pine Sawyer
checklist_number: 121003029001.00		Sawyers are large beetles with very long antennae. Monochamus carolinensis is reddish-brown with distinct pale dorsal stripes on the pronotum (Yanega, 1996). The elytra are mottled with pale and dark ......Larvae feed on dead and dying pines (Yanega, 1966; Lingafelter, 2007)......S4S5GNR...
Monochamus titillator
Southern Pine Sawyer
checklist_number: 121003029005.00		Sawyers are large beetles with very long antennae. Monochamus titillator has a reddish integument that is largely overlain on the elytra with a mottled pattern consisting of whitish, yellowish, and bl...............
Neandra brunnea
checklist_number: 121005001001.00		...We have records from both natural forests as well as residential neighborhoods....Larvae feed on moist, decaying heartwood (Yanega, 1996; Lingafelter, 2007). This includes logs lying in contact with the soil and also wood structures such as poles. They also feed on heartwood in liv...Comes to lights, including blacklights...S5G5...
Scaphinus muticus
checklist_number: 121007001001.00		...Our records all come from the Coastal Plain, including sites dominated by Longleaf Pine and by Loblolly Pine....Larvae feed on pines (Yanega, 1996; Lingafelter, 2007)......S3S4[GNR]...