Discover 10 Types of Brown Beetles

Beetles are the most numerous insects to exist. Roughly 40% of all insect species belong to the phylogenetic order of beetles, Coleoptera. Over 350,000 beetle species have been described, and more are discovered every year. These insects have many different sizes, shapes, and colors. One of the ways that people often describe beetles is according to their color. Today, we’re going to examine 10 different types of brown beetles.

You’ll learn about various brown beetle species, where they live, and more! The beetles don’t have to be completely brown to make this list. Just a portion of their body has to bear the color!

1. Northern Corn Rootworm Beetle

Northern corn rootworm beetles, Diabrotica barberi, are found throughout North America. They can take on a variety of colors including a pale tan, yellowish-brown, and even green. The northern variety of these beetles, there are western and southern variants, are brown when they are young and turn green as they age. They only reach about 1/4 inch in total length.

 These critters are well-known because of their troublesome diet. When they’re not eating goldenrod, they eat corn. The problem with that diet is they can harm corn crops. That’s why so many farmers have to battle against them.

2. Eastern Hercules Beetle

The eastern Hercules beetle is a rather large beetle that lives in the eastern United States. Dynastes tityus can measure about 2.5 inches. That’s smaller than the largest Hercules beetles that grow upwards of 7 inches long, but it’s still big enough to find interesting. These beetles can vary in color, but it’s not unusual to see them in brown, black, or green.

3. Grapevine Beetle

The grapevine beetle comes from the Scarabaeidae family. These scarabs are found throughout North America, and some 1,400 species are located in that area with almost 30,000 species found worldwide.  Some species of this beetle can grow about one inch long.

4. Long-Horned Beetle

As their names suggest, the long-horned beetle is known for its very long antennae. Sometimes, these antennae can be as long as the rest of the beetle’s body. Also, the family of beetles to which they belong, Cerambycidae, has over 35,000 different species! Of course, not all of them are brown. However, many species, including Semanotus amplus, often have brown colorations. That species is found in the western part of North America, from Mexico up to parts of Canada.

5. Maize Weevil

One species of maize weevil is Sitophilus zeamais. Like the northern corn rootworm beetles, this creature likes to eat plant material, especially corn. These critters are considered major pests in agricultural circles since they can infest and eat both crops and stored materials. They’ll gladly eat wheat, rye, peas, and rice! Often, they grow about 0.10 to 0.15 inches long and feature colors like brown, red, and orange. They’re easily recognized by their long snouts.

6. Ox Beetle

Strategus aloeus is a species of rhinoceros beetle that is known for its large size, coloration, and horns. Males of this species are large, growing about 1 to 1.5 inches long. Moreover, the so-called major males of this species have three horns, one on either side of the head and one protruding from the “nose.” These beetles often have a reddish-brown or dark-brown color. These creatures live throughout the South and Southeast parts of the United States.

7. Western Sculptured Pine Borer Beetle

The western sculptured pine borer beetle has a very long name along with a very interesting body. Chalcophora angulicollis is a metallic woof-boring beetle with a brown and black shell that has a unique texture to it.

When these creatures spread their wings and take flight, their full bodies are revealed. Their abdomens have a variety of colors that look like blue and purple metal. They’re one of the most beautiful types of brown beetles, and the largest ones grow to lengths of 1.3 inches long! They’re found throughout all of North America.  

8. Boll Weevil

The boll weevil is a creature with a brown body and a bad reputation. Like a few other beetles on this list, Anthonomus grandis is best known for being a bad pest. The beetle first arrived in Texas in the year 1892 or shortly before. By the 1920s, the creature had made its way all the way to the Carolinas.

These insects spread through the Cotton Belt where they consumed the titular material, devastating the industry for years. That event prompted an eradication program to cut down on the infestation.  

9. Shining Leaf Chafer Beetle

The shining leaf chafer beetle is another insect with a brown body. Many members of this family exist, but the species Anomala binotata has distinctive wings that almost resemble wood grain. They’re found in many places in North America, especially in the eastern areas of the continent. They also feast on corn, oats, wheat, and other valuable products. As a result, they’re regarded as pests. Yet, they’re not that large, only between 0.3 and 0.4 inches in length.

10. May Beetle

Lastly, May beetles belonging to the Phyllophaga genus are brown and shiny. This type of brown beetle gets its name from the fact that they appear in the warm spring and summer months. They’re often found swarming around lights around those times of the year. About 900 species belong to the genus. May beetles are found throughout North America.

Knowing about these 10 types of brown beetles won’t help much with identifying the critters. Yet, it should help people understand the wide variety of beetles that live around them. Beetles are incredibly numerous, and they truly come in a massive array of sizes and shapes!  

Summary of 10 Types of Brown Beetles

Here is a list of 10 different types of super interesting Brown Beetles:

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