Over the past year, I have been visiting a small reservation near my home to document its biodiversity generally. After the mad rush of spring bird migration in May, I slow down and start photographing the smaller invertebrates I find there. This post will deal with some of the beetles I have discovered making their home there.
As you know, beetles are the most diverse group of animals on the planet. There are upwards of 400,000 described species with more being discovered each year. They constitute 25% of all known species on Earth. So far I have discovered 37 unique species of beetles in my small patch.
Some of the easiest to view are the large beetles that visit flowering plants in the native flower beds maintained by volunteers. Above you see Goldenrod Soldier Beetles (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus), named for their colorful "military uniform". They are very common in my area in the mid-summer to fall when adults emerge.
Another goldenrod plant-specific beetle is the Goldenrod Leaf Miner Beetle (Microrhopala vittata) which is distributed throughout the northern United States and Canada. You can find them hiding on goldenrod.
I also frequently encounter the colorful Locust Borer (Megacyllene robiniae) and "Wedge-shaped beetles" (Macrosiagon limbata):
Here are two beetles of the Family Curculionidae - Snout and Bark Beetles, a Rhinoncus sp. and the Sweetclover Weevil (Sitona cylindricollis). Thanks to the coleoptera experts on iNaturalist for helping to identify these. Note the namesake snouts.
Due to the disturbed and urban nature of this reservation, there are many human introduced and invasive plants which volunteers work tirelessly to keep under control. With these plants come their insect relations. The ubiquitous Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica) is no exception and are seen on nearly all of my trips during the summer season.
Another introduced pest species is the Imported Willow Leaf Beetle (Plagiodera versicolora). It is a small metallic blue leaf beetle that is about 5mm long. Its host plant is the willow and was introduced to North America from Europe in the early 20th Century.
Another species of leaf beetle (a native species) I discovered on my walks was the Dogwood Leaf Beetle (Calligrapha philadelphica). The genus was named after the fine decorative markings on the elytra. It is a small but handsome beetle.
I hope to return this favorite patch of mine in the coming months and further document and share the amazing biodiversity that is just a few minutes walk from my house. I hope more people take the time to slow down and look closer at the amazing nature that is around them even in their daily city life.
Thank you for reading and best of luck in your travels near and far.
All photos taken by 