Biography:
The Lord God formed every living creature, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. Genesis 2:19 - Adam, the first taxonomist!
(this bio is work in progress, as is the Subject)
Basically I'm an engineer by avocation (pays the bills / feeds the family) and an entomologist by nights/weekends for fun. So take any of my posts or responses as strictly an amateur, without formal entomology training, and without much prior association with the excellent pro/am mentor situations like BugGuide provides.
I grew up in the suburbs west of Reading PA in the 70's & 80's, and went on "butterfly safaris" with an older neighbor boy when I was a mere lad. At the time we only ventured as far as we could walk, and those fields have long grown their final crop - colonials and ranchers. The need for work has brought me to South Jersey (and a similar farm/sprawl mix), but my bug interest has remained a source of relaxation.
I enjoy the collecting and taxonomy aspects of entomology, especially the beetles. Inspired by this site's INCREDIBLE photography richness, I'm attempting to add some photography aspects to my efforts. All photos posted before July 2007 were shot with a Canon A610 point-and-shoot, and afterwards with a Canon A640. Many were taken by pointing the A610 through the eyepiece of a steroscope at 10X, 20X, and a few at 40X. For others, I often reverse-mount a 50mm f1.4 SLR lens, which provides a ~23mm field, and employ a Canon firmware hack to "step" through multiple focus distances. Those images are then montaged using Helicon Focus software.
Frank Lutz, a researcher at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, identified 1,402 insect species in a four-year survey of his backyard, including some 260 beetles (A Lot of Insects: Entomology in a Suburban Garden, 1941 by F. Lutz). And Gary Hevel, an entomologist at the Smithsonian recently conducted a similar effort, netting approximately 4,000 sp.
Bugs Beware, Simthsonian Mag, Oct '04.
With this inspiration, and family duties severely limiting my collecting time anywhere but around home, I'm attempting to better Lutz's record of 260 Coleoptera sp. From collecting beginning in 2006, the current number stands at 263 species (made 260! April 17, 2008), from 42 Families as of March '08 (see list below - blue text links to BugGuide photos). And I haven't attempted to sort through and ID much material in 2 large families: Roves, and Weevels. Check back for updates! This effort has thus far proven very enjoyable and is expanding my collecting knowledge and techniques tremendously. Many thanks to those from this site who have shared their experience and new collecting ideas.
Here's the species IDed as of April'08
Order COLEOPTERA Linnaeus, 1758
Current Count = 263 (from 42 Families)
Suborder Archostemata
Family Cupedidae - Reticulated Beetles [1]
Family Micromalthidae - Telephone-pole Beetles [2]
Suborder Myxophaga
Family Microsporidae - Minute Bog Beetles [3]
Family Hydroscaphidae - Skiff Beetles [4]
Suborder Adephaga
Family Rhysodidae - Wrinkled Bark Beetles [5]
Family Carabidae - Ground Beetles [6]
Subfamily Omophroninae
Omophron labiatus
Subfamily Carabinae
Subfamily Nebriinae
Subfamily Elaphrinae
Subfamily Promecognathinae
Subfamily Cicindelinae - Tiger Beetles
Cicindela punctulata
Cicindela sexguttata (observed)
Subfamily Scaritinae
Clivina americana
Clivina collaris
Clivina bipustulata
Clivina dentipes
Dyschirius affinis
Dyschirius (larochellei)?
Subfamily Trechinae
Bembidion americanum
Bembidion sp.
Bembidion sp. #2
Bembidion sp. #3
Bembidion sp. #4 (americanum ?)
Paratrachys proximus
Pericompsus ephippiatus
undetermined
Subfamily Harpalinae
undetermined
Harpalini
Acupalpus sp
Amphasia sericeus
Anisodactylus caenus
Anisodactylus sanctaecrucis
Harpalus caliginasus
Harpalus pennsylvanicus
Harpalus herbivagus
Agonderus lineola
Geopinus incrassatus
Stenolophus conjunctus
Stenolophus lineola
Cyclosomini
Tetragonoderus fasciatus
Platynini
Agonum aeruginosum
Agonum octopunctatum
Platynus placidus
Pterostichini
Myas coracinus
Poecilus chalcites
Odacanthini
Colliuris pennsylvanicus
Lebiini
Coptodera aerata
Lebia analis
Lebia grandis
Lebia atriventris
Lebia solea
Lebia viridis
Lebia viridipennis
Zabrini
Amara apricaria
Subfamily Brachininae
undetermined
undetermined
undetermined
Family Gyrinidae - Whirligig Beetles [7]
Family Haliplidae - Crawling Water Beetles [8]
Peltodytes edentulus
Peltodytes muticus
Family Trachypachidae - False Ground Beetles [9]
Family Noteridae - Burrowing Water Beetles [10]
Suphisellus bicolor punctipennis
Family Amphizoidae - Trout-stream Beetles [11]
Family Dytiscidae - Predaceous Diving Beetles [12]
Subfamily Laccophilinae
Laccophilus fasciatus
Subfamily Hydroporinae
Liodessus affinis
Celina hubbelli
Celina slossoni
Desmopachria convexa
Bidessonotus inconspicuous
Bidessus granarius
Bidessus suburbanus
Hygrotus nubilus
Hygrotus sayi
Hygrotus sp.
Hydroporus sp. (niger-tenebreous group)
Neoporus undulatus
Subfamily Coymbetinae
Matus sp.
Copelatus glyphicus
Subfamily Dytiscinae
Subfamily Hydaticinae
Hydaticus bimarginatus
Subfamily Cybistrinae
Suborder Polyphaga
Superfamily Hydrophiloidea
Family Hydrophilidae - Water Scavenger Beetles [13]
Berosus aculeatus
Berosus fraternus
Berosus peregrinus
Cercyon mendax
Cercyon occellatus
Cercyon praetextatus
Cercyon quisquilius
Cryptopleurum minutum
Cymbiodyta rotunda
Enochrus consors
Enochrus consortus
Enochrus hamiltoni
Enochrus pygmacus
Enochrus sp. (fimbriatus/interruptus group)
Paracymus sp.
Phaenonotum exstriatum
Tropitsternus lateralis
Tropitsternus mixtus
Helophorus sp.
Hydrochus sp.
Family Sphaeritidae - False Clown Beetles [14]
Family Histeridae - Clown Beetles [15]
Atholus exaratus
Hister depurator
Spilodiscus biplagiatus
Superfamily Staphylinoidea
Family Hydraenidae - Minute Moss Beetles [16]
Family Ptiliidae - Featherwinged Beetles [17]
Family Agyrtidae - Primitive Carrion Beetles [18]
Family Leiodidae - Round Fungus Beetles [19]
Family Scydmaenidae - Ant-like Stone Beetles [20]
Family Silphidae - Carrion Beetles [21]
Nicrophorus orbicollis
Silpha americana (observed)
Family Staphylinidae - Rove Beetles [22]
Subfamily Oxytelinae
Bledius sp.
Subfamily Paederinae
Homaeotarsus sp.
Subfamily Pselaphinae
Rybaxis clavata
Subfamily Tachyporinae
Coproporus sp. ?
Subfamily Scaphidiinae
undetmined
Superfamily Scarabaeoidea
Family Lucanidae - Stag Beetles [23]
Family Diphyllostomatidae - False Stag Beetles [24]
Family Passalidae - Bess Beetles [25]
Family Glaresidae - Enigmatic Scarab Beetles [26]
Family Trogidae - Hide Beetles [27]
Trox sp.
Trox aequalis
Trox tuberculatus
Trox unistriatus
Family Pleocomidae - Rain Beetles [28]
Family Geotrupidae - Earth-Boring Dung Beetles [29]
Bolbocerosoma faretum
Family Ochodaeidae - Sand-loving Scarab Beetles [30]
Family Hybosoridae - Scavenger Scarab Beetles [31]
Family Ceratocanthidae - Pill Scarab Beetles [32]
Family Glaphyridae - Bumble Bee Scarab Beetles [33]
Family Scarabaeidae - Scarab Beetles [34]
Subfamily Aphodiinae - Aphodiine Dung Beetles
Aphodius sp. (subgenus Blackburneus)
Aphodius rubeolus (subgenus Blackburneus)
Subfamily Scarabaeinae - Dung Beetles
Pinatus carolinus
Tribe Coprini
Copris minutus
Tribe Onthophagini
Onthophagus hecate
Onthophagus pennsylvanicus
Onthophagus tarurus
Tribe Phanaeini
Phanaeus vindex
Subfamily Melolonthinae - May Beetles and June Bugs
Tribe Sericini
Serica sericea
Tribe Melolonthini
Phyllophaga hirticula
P. cernulata
P. tristis
P. ephilida
Subfamily Rutelinae - Shining Leaf Chafers
Tribe Anomalini
Anomala orientalis
Popillia japonica
Strigoderma arbicola
Tribe Rutelini
Pelidnota punctata
Subfamily Dynastinae - Rhinoceros Beetles
Tribe Cyclocephalini
Dyscinetus morator
Tribe Pentodontini
Aphanus castaneus
Tomarus gibbosus
Subfamily Cetoniinae - Fruit and Flower Chafers
Cotinus nitida
Superfamily Scirtoidea
Family Eucinetidae - Plate-thigh Beetles [35]
Eucinetus terminalis
Family Clambidae - Minute Beetles [36]
Family Scirtidae - Marsh Beetles [37]
Scirtes tibialis
Cyphon sp. 1
Cyphon sp. 2
Superfamily Dascilloidea
Family Dascillidae - Soft-bodied Plant Beetles [38]
Family Rhipiceridae - Cicada Parasite Beetles [39]
Superfamily Buprestoidea
Family Schizopodidae - False Jewel Beetles [40]
Family Buprestidae - Metallic Wood-boring Beetles [41]
Acmaeodera pulchella
Agrilus cuprescens
Superfamily Byrroidea
Family Byrrhidae - Pill Beetles [42]
Family Elmidae - Riffle Beetles [43]
Macronychus glabratus
Stenelmis quadrimaculata
Stenelmis bicarinata
Family Dryopidae - Long-toed Water Beetles [44]
Family Lutrochidae - Travertine Beetles [45]
Family Limnichidae - Minute Marsh-loving Beetles [46]
Limnichites punctatus
Family Heteroceridae - Variegated Mud-loving Beetles [47]
Heterocerus fenestratus
Heterocerus mollinus
Microaugyles moleculus
Family Psephenidae - Water Penny Beetles [48]
Family Ptilodactylidae - Toe-winged Beetles [49]
Family Chelonariidae - Turtle Beetles [50]
Family Eulichadidae - Forest Stream Beetles [51]
Family Callirhipidae - Callirhipid Cedar Beetles [52]
Superfamily Elateroidea
Family Artematopodidae - Soft-bodied Plant Beetles [53]
Family Brachypsectridae - Texas Beetles [54]
Family Cerophytidae - Rare Click Beetles [55]
Family Eucnemidae - False Click Beetles [56]
Family Throscidae - False Metallic Wood-boring Beetles [57]
Trixagus carinicollis
Family Elateridae - Click Beetles [58]
Conoderus bellus
Conoderus lividus
Conoderus vespertinus
Melanatus fissilis
Aeolus mellilus
Glyphonyx recticollis
undetermined
Family Lycidae - Net-winged Beetles [59]
Plateros sp.
Family Telegeusidae - Long-lipped Beetles [60]
Family Phengodidae - Glowworm Beetles [61]
Family Lampyridae - Fireflies [62]
Photuris pennsylvanica
Photinus pyralis
Photinus sp.
Family Omethidae - False Soldier Beetles [63]
Family Cantharidae - Soldier Beetles [64]
Ancistronycha bilineata
Chauliognathus marginatus
Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus
Ditemnus sp.
Podabrus sp. (appendiculatus?)
Podabrus frosti
Podabrus rugosolus
Cantharis sp.
Family Jacobsoniidae - Jacobsoniid Beetles [65]
Superfamily Derodontoidea
Family Derodontidae - Tooth-necked Fungus Beetles [66]
Superfamily Bostrichoidea
Family Nosodendridae - Wounded-tree Beetles [67]
Family Dermestidae - Carpet Beetles [68]
Anthrenus sp.
Family Bostrichidae - Horned Powder-post Beetles [69]
Postephanus punctatus
Trogoxylon sp.
Xylobiops basilaris
undetermined
Family Anobiidae - Death-watch and Spider Beetles [70]
Ptinus bimaculatus
Superfamily Lymexylonoidea
Family Lymexylidae - Ship-timber Beetles [71]
Superfamily Cleroidea
Family Trogossitidae - Bark-gnawing Beetles [72]
Tenebroides corticalis
Tenebroides nanus
Corticotomus cylindricus
Family Cleridae - Checkered Beetles [73]
Chariessa pilosa (visual only)
Cregya oculata
Necrobia violacea
Cymatodera undulata
Cymatodera inornata
Family Melyridae - Soft-winged Flower Beetles [74]
Superfamily Cucujoidea
Family Sphindidae - Cryptic Slime Mold Beetles [75]
Family Kateretidae - Short-winged Flower Beetles [76]
Family Nitidulidae - Sap-feeding Beetles [77]
Amphicrossus ciliatus
Omosita colon
Carpophilus lugubris
Colopterus maculatus
Colopterus niger
Colopterus truncatus
Cryptarcha ampla
Cryptarcha concinna
Cryptarcha strigatula
E
Epuraea peltoides
Epuraea sp.
Glischrochilus fasciatus
Glischrochilus quadrisignatus
Meligethes sp.
Stelidota geminata
Family Smicripidae - Palmetto Beetles [78]
Family Monotomidae - Root-eating Beetles [79]
Monotoma sp.
Family Silvanidae - Silvanid Flat Bark Beetles [80]
Ahasverus sp.
Telephanus velox
Oryzaephilus sp. (surinamensis?)
Family Passandridae - Parasitic Flat Bark Beetles [81]
Family Cucujidae - Flat Bark Beetles [82]
Family Laemophloeidae - Lined Flat Bark Beetles [83]
Laemophloeus fasciatus
Family Phalacridae - Shining Flower Beetles [84]
sp.
Family Cryptophagidae - Silken Fungus Beetles [85]
Anchicera ephippiata
Anchicera sp.
Telmatophilus americanus
Family Languriidae - Lizard Beetles [86]
Family Erotylidae - Pleasing Fungus Beetles [87]
Family Byturidae - Fruitworm Beetles [88]
Family Biphyllidae - False Skin Beetles [89]
Family Bothrideridae - Dry Bark Beetles [90]
Family Cerylonidae - Minute Bark Beetles [91]
Family Endomychidae - Handsome Fungus Beetles [92]
Family Coccinellidae - Ladybird Beetles [93]
Brachiacantha ursina
Cycloneda munda
Harmonia axyridis
Coccinella septempunctata
Chilocoris stigma
Coleomegilla maculata (visual only)
Hippodamia convergens
Hippodamia variegata
Hippodamia parenthesis
Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (visual only)
Superfamily Tenebrionoidea
Family Mycetophagidae - Hairy Fungus Beetles [96]
Litargus sexpunctatus
Typhaea stercorea
Family Archeocrypticidae - Cryptic Fungus Beetles [97]
Family Ciidae - Minute Tree-fungus Beetles [98]
Family Tetratomidae - Polypore Fungus Beetles [99]
Family Melandryidae - False Darkling Beetles [100]
Family Mordellidae - Tumbling Flower Beetles [101]
Mordella marginata
Mordellistena andreae
Mordellistena aspersa
Mordellistena cervicalis
Mordellistena masoni
Mordellistena pustulata Melsheimer
Family Rhipiphoridae - Wedge-shaped Beetles [102]
Family Colydiidae - Cylindrical Bark Beetles [103]
Family Monommatidae - Oppossum Beetles [104]
Family Zopheridae - Ironclad Beetles [105]
Family Tenebrionidae - Darkling Beetles [106]
Alobatus pensylvanica
Alphitophagus bifasciatus
Blapstinus sp.
Patydema ellipticus
Platydema sp.
Statira gagatina
Family Prostomidae - Jugular-horned Beetles [107]
Family Synchroidae - Synchroa Bark Beetles [108]
Family Oedemeridae - False Blister Beetles [109]
Family Stenotrachelidae - False Longhorn Beetles [110]
Family Meloidae - Blister Beetles [111]
Meloe sp. (americanus?)
Lytta sayi
Epicauta vittata
Epicauta pestifera
Epicauta pennsylvanica
Family Mycteridae - Palm and Flower Beetles [112]
Family Boridae - Conifer Bark Beetles [113]
Family Pythidae - Dead Log Beetles [114]
Family Pyrochroidae - Fire-Colored Beetles [115]
Family Salpingidae - Narrow-waisted Bark Beetles [116]
Family Anthicidae - Antlike Flower Beetles [117]
Anthicus cervinus
Anthicus ephippium
Malporus formicarius
Omonadus formicarius
Omonadus floralis
Notoxus desertus
Notoxus murinipennis
Sapintus sp.
Family Aderidae - Antlike Leaf Beetles [118]
Elonus nebulosus
Family Scraptiidae - False Flower Beetles [119]
Superfamily Chrysomeloidea
Family Cerambycidae - Longhorned Beetles [120]
Lepturinae
Cerambycinae
Anelaphus parallelus
Elaphidion mucronatum
Euderces pini
Megacyllene robiniae
Oene rigida
Obrium maculatum
Smodicum cucujiforme
Xylotrechus sagittatus
Lamiinae
Tetraopes melanurus
Tetraopes tetrophthalmus
Hippopsis lemniscata
Ecyrus dasycerus
Sternidius alpha
Family Megalopodidae - Megalopodid Leaf Beetles [122]
Family Orsodacnidae - Orsodacnid Leaf Beetles [123]
Family Chrysomelidae - Leaf Beetles [121 & 124]
Subfamily Bruchinae - Pea and Bean Weevils
Amblycerus robiniae
Subfamily Donaciinae - Aquatic Leaf Beetles
Subfamily Criocerinae
Neolema sp.
Subfamily Cassidinae - Tortoise Beetles and the Hispines
Cassida piperata
Cassida rubiginosa
Microrhopala vittata
Odontota dorsalis
Subfamily Chrysomelinae
Gastrophysa polygoni
Leptinotarsa juncta
Plagioder versicolora
Subfamily Galerucinae - Skeletonizing leaf beetles
Acalymma vittata
Disonycha glabrata
Diabrotica undecimpuntate
Glyptina sp.
Oedionychus vianus
Phyllotreta striolata
Systena sp.
Aphthona sp.
Subfamily Eumolpinae
Brachyphnoea sp.
Colaspis brunnea
Paria sp. #1
Paria sp. #2
Tymnes metasternalis
Subfamily Cryptocephalinae - The Casebearers
Subfamily Alticinae - + Now a tribe (Alticini) of Galerucinae
Superfamily Curculionoidea
Family Nemonychidae - Pine Flower Snout Beetles [125]
Family Anthribidae - Fungus Weevils [126]
Family Belidae - Cycad Weevils [127]
Family Attelabidae - Leaf Rolling Weevils [128]
Family Brentidae - Straight-snouted Weevils [129]
Family Ithyceridae - New York Weevils [130]
Family Curculionidae - Snout and Bark Beetles [131]
Subfamily Baridiane
unidentified
Subfamily Hyperinae
Hypera zoilus
Subfamily Scolytinae
Monarthrum fasciatum
Scolytus multistriatus
Scolytinae sp.
