Ground beetles – Family Carabidae
Moderately Smooth Warrior Beetle, Pasimachus sublaevis
A menacing-looking beetle with large jaws, but are flightless. These beetles are common in dry areas, near the edges of habitats, under oak trees, and in leaf litter. The adults and larvae are predators of smaller animals. I’ve seen them most common in the USF-Tampa area.
Moustached Tiger Beetle, Ellipsoptera hirtilabris
Small, long-legged beetles with dark markings on a white, grainy background. These are found in dry, upland habitats on bare patches of sand. The adults and larvae are also predators.
Punctured Tiger Beetle, Cicindela punctulata
The most common of the tiger beetles in Tampa. Small beetles usually with small white spots on a dark background. These are found in a variety of habitats on bare patches of sand. The adults and larvae are also predators.
Three-Lined Tiger beetle, Cicindela trifasciata ascendens
Small beetles with white-wavy lines on a dark background. The adults and larvae are predators.
Unicolored Tiger Beetle, Cicindela scutellaris unicolor
Handsome small beetles that are regularly metallic green. These are harder to encounter in Tampa; adapted to dry, upland habitats that tend to be built upon. Found in bare patches of sand. The adults and larvae are predators.
Bombardier Beetle, Brachinus spp.
This well known beetle can be found in Tampa, but is relatively uncommon compared to the false bombardier beetle. Key thing to look out for is the orange head, orange thorax, and the black, purplish, or greenish wing cases. Adults can deliver a boiling hot liquid from the end of its abdomen if provoked. Adults are predators of other insects.
False Bombardier Beetle, Galerita spp.
Similar to the true Bombardier beetle, but with a black head. This beetle is also harmless. They tend to live in groups under stones and rotting logs. The adults and larvae are predators.
Ground Beetle, Notiobia terminata
Scarites Beetle, Scarites spp.
Medium to small sized, elongate beetles with large jaws. They are similar to the warrior beetle. The adults and larvae are predators.
Ground Beetle, Oodinus pseudopiceus
Ground Beetle, Harpalus spp.
Medium to small-sized black, shiny beetles with typically orange legs and wide, round heads. The beetles can be found anywhere. The adults and larvae are predators.
Ground Beetle, Lebia viridis
Scarab Beetles – Family Scarabaeidae
Pygmy Chafer Beetle, Strigoderma pygmaea
Small beetles with a variable color pattern from black to brownish. Common species found on blades of grass and the tips of plant stems. Adults are harmless, pollinate, and larvae are probably not well known and not considered a problem for lawns.
Smooth Ox Beetle, Strategus antaeus
Very large beetles with smooth, shiny wing cases that lack any ridges. They are very round, often with short or long horns on the head in the males. Can be found in a variety of habitats, perhaps sandy ones. Adults are harmless. Larvae feed on decaying material, leaves, and possibly roots, but this species is not abundant or common enough to be a problem. The larvae often cannibalize each other. These native beasts may be faring poorly thanks to the introduction of the red fire ant.
Striped June Beetle, Polyphylla occidentalis
Medium-sized beetles with light stripes on a brown, hairy background. Males have large, bright orange, fan-shaped antennae that are collapsible. This is a different species from the Ten-lined June beetle, which I have not seen from Tampa. Can be found in a variety of habitats. Adults are harmless. Larvae feed on roots, but this species is not abundant or common enough to be a problem.
Grapevine Beetle, Pelidnota punctata
Medium-sized beetle with sparse black spots on a largely tan surface. While adults feed on the leaves of grapes, they are not serious pests. Their larvae feed on decaying roots and are also not serious pests.
Bumble Flower Beetle, Euphoria inda
These small to medium-sized beetles are brown with a spotted pattern. They are pollinators. The larvae are not well know. Those of the closest relatives usually feed on decaying vegetation, but this species may be associated with ants.
Florida Deep-digger Scarab, Peltotrupes profundus
These large, metallic beetles are responsible for creating ant-mound sized large yellow piles of sand. They dig burrows where they store and feed their young, which can be several meters deep! This species is listed in Florida’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need. They are harmless and are not considered pests. Despite the large mandibles, they do not bite. The larvae feed on detritus gathered by their parents.
Scarab beetle, Plectris aliena
Adults are predators of smaller flies and insects.
Masked Chafer beetle, Cyclocephala spp.
Margined Shining Leaf Chafer beetle, Callistethus marginatus
A very common beetle in the Tampa area.
Rainbow Scarab, Phanaeus igneus
Rice beetle, Dyscinetus morator
A very common beetle in the Tampa area.
Dark Flower Scarab, Euphoria sepulchralis
Pale Leaf Chafer Beetle, Anomala semilivida
Small beetles. This species can be found at night near lights during early spring. It is poorly known.
Garden beetles, Sericini spp.
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Striped June Beetle, Polyphylla occidentalis
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Click Beetles – Family Elateridae
Small-Eyed Click Beetle, Alaus myops
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Click Beetle, Rismethus squamiger
This is probably one of the smallest click beetles in Florida, about 2-3 mm long! Blaine Mathison from the CDC and other experts believe the Florida specimens might be separate from this species and remains unnamed.
Gulf Wireworm, Heteroderes amplicollis
This beetle is considered a pest.
Click Beetle, Glyphonyx nanus
This beetle flies around May.
Click Beetle, Conoderus aversus
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Click beetle, Conoderus falli
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Click Beetle, Melanotus spp.
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Click Beetle, Dipropus schwarzi
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Click beetle, Conoderus pictus
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Click Beetle, Orthostethus infuscatus
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Click Beetle, Dipropus asper
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Click beetle, Conoderus pictus
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Click Beetle, Dipropus asper
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Click Beetle, Dipropus schwarzi
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Click beetle, Conoderus pictus
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Lady Beetes – Family Coccinellidae
Asian Lady Beetle, Harmonia axyridis
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Spotless Lady Beetle, Cycloneda sanguinea
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Spurleg Lady Beetle, Brachiacantha dentipes
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Scale-feeding Lady Beetle, Exochomus childreni
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Twenty-spotted Lady Beetle, Psyllobora vigintimaculata
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Small-spotted Fairy Lady Beetle, Psyllobora parvinotata
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Confluent Sigil Lady Beetle, Hyperapis connectens
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Lady Beetle, Diomus xanthaspis
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Small-spotted Fairy Lady Beetle, Psyllobora parvinotata
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Long-horned beetles – Family Cerambycidae
Hardwood Stump Borer, Mallodon dasystomus
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Long-horned beetle, Methia necydalea
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Arrowhead Borer, Xylotrechus sagittatus
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Long-horned beetle, Psyrassa pertenuis
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Long-horned beetle, Eburia distincta
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Spined Oak Borer, Elaphidion mucronatum
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Red Oak Borer, Enaphalodes rufulus
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Long-horned beetle, Astylopsis arcuata
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Long-horned beetle, Sternidius mimeticus
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Leaf, Tortoise, and Hispine Beetles – Family Chrysomelidae
Neogriphoneura sordida
A small, yellowish orange fly common on vegetation in wet and shaded areas.
Ceratobarys eulophus
A small, long, orangeish fly with long antennae found on vegetation,
Dioxyna picciola
A common fly with marked wings parasitizing the fruits of some wildflowers.
Brachydeutera neotropica
A water-loving small, light brownish fly that enjoys floating on water. Most likely scavengers.
Grass fly, Monochaetoscinella nigricornis
A common fly on grasses, but may not necessarily be a pest.
Fruit fly, Xanthaciura insecta
This small fly with patterned wings is a parasite of the Spanish needles plant (Bidens pilosa).
Athyroglossa glaphyropus
A very small, black shore fly.
Grass fly, Stenoscinis longipes
A long-legged, common fly on grasses, but may not necessarily be a pest.
Paralimna spp.
A small, dark brownish shore fly.
Grass fly, Monochaetoscinella spp.
A common fly on grasses, but may not necessarily be a pest.
Setacera spp.
A small, somewhat metallic greenish shore fly.
Grallipeza nebulosa
This brightly colored fly with a red body, long black legs, and white marks at the ends of these legs is very common on palmettos and flat surfaces. It is a scavenger and doesn’t sting or bite.
Ochthera tuberculata
This interesting fly lives near water and possesses mantis-like arms for catching things on the surface of the water.
Black Scavenger Fly, Microsepsis spp.
This is a small, black fly common on feces that likes to wave out its wings. Lacks a black spot on the wings. As the name suggests, this is an important scavenger.
Stilt-Legged Fly, Taeniaptera trivittata spp.
This fly is a close relative of Grallipeza nebulosa but is much less common, without reddish color, with patterned wings, and larger. It is also a scavenger that doesn’t bite or sting.
Hover flies – Family Syrphidae
Grass fly, Monochaetoscinella spp.
A common fly on grasses, but may not necessarily be a pest.
Setacera spp.
A small, somewhat metallic greenish shore fly.
Grallipeza nebulosa
This brightly colored fly with a red body, long black legs, and white marks at the ends of these legs is very common on palmettos and flat surfaces. It is a scavenger and doesn’t sting or bite.
Long-Legged Flies – Family Dolichopodidae
Grass fly, Monochaetoscinella spp.
A common fly on grasses, but may not necessarily be a pest.
Setacera spp.
A small, somewhat metallic greenish shore fly.
Grallipeza nebulosa
This brightly colored fly with a red body, long black legs, and white marks at the ends of these legs is very common on palmettos and flat surfaces. It is a scavenger and doesn’t sting or bite.
Horse, Deer, Yellow flies, etc – Family Tabanidae
Grass fly, Monochaetoscinella spp.
A common fly on grasses, but may not necessarily be a pest.
Setacera spp.
A small, somewhat metallic greenish shore fly.
Grallipeza nebulosa
This brightly colored fly with a red body, long black legs, and white marks at the ends of these legs is very common on palmettos and flat surfaces. It is a scavenger and doesn’t sting or bite.
Mydas Flies – Family Mydidae
Grass fly, Monochaetoscinella spp.
A common fly on grasses, but may not necessarily be a pest.
Setacera spp.
A small, somewhat metallic greenish shore fly.
Grallipeza nebulosa
This brightly colored fly with a red body, long black legs, and white marks at the ends of these legs is very common on palmettos and flat surfaces. It is a scavenger and doesn’t sting or bite.
Robber Flies – Family Asilidae
Grass fly, Monochaetoscinella spp.
A common fly on grasses, but may not necessarily be a pest.
Setacera spp.
A small, somewhat metallic greenish shore fly.
Grallipeza nebulosa
This brightly colored fly with a red body, long black legs, and white marks at the ends of these legs is very common on palmettos and flat surfaces. It is a scavenger and doesn’t sting or bite.
Crane flies – Families Tipulidae/Limoniidae
Grass fly, Monochaetoscinella spp.
A common fly on grasses, but may not necessarily be a pest.
Setacera spp.
A small, somewhat metallic greenish shore fly.
Grallipeza nebulosa
This brightly colored fly with a red body, long black legs, and white marks at the ends of these legs is very common on palmettos and flat surfaces. It is a scavenger and doesn’t sting or bite.
Mosquitoes – Family Culicidae
Grass fly, Monochaetoscinella spp.
A common fly on grasses, but may not necessarily be a pest.
Setacera spp.
A small, somewhat metallic greenish shore fly.
Grallipeza nebulosa
This brightly colored fly with a red body, long black legs, and white marks at the ends of these legs is very common on palmettos and flat surfaces. It is a scavenger and doesn’t sting or bite.
Midges – Family Ceratopogonidae
Grass fly, Monochaetoscinella spp.
A common fly on grasses, but may not necessarily be a pest.
Setacera spp.
A small, somewhat metallic greenish shore fly.
Grallipeza nebulosa
This brightly colored fly with a red body, long black legs, and white marks at the ends of these legs is very common on palmettos and flat surfaces. It is a scavenger and doesn’t sting or bite.
Non-biting Midges – Family Chironomidae
Grass fly, Monochaetoscinella spp.
A common fly on grasses, but may not necessarily be a pest.
Setacera spp.
A small, somewhat metallic greenish shore fly.
Grallipeza nebulosa
This brightly colored fly with a red body, long black legs, and white marks at the ends of these legs is very common on palmettos and flat surfaces. It is a scavenger and doesn’t sting or bite.
Phantom Midges – Family Chaoboridae
Grass fly, Monochaetoscinella spp.
A common fly on grasses, but may not necessarily be a pest.
Setacera spp.
A small, somewhat metallic greenish shore fly.
Grallipeza nebulosa
This brightly colored fly with a red body, long black legs, and white marks at the ends of these legs is very common on palmettos and flat surfaces. It is a scavenger and doesn’t sting or bite.
March Flies – Family Bibionidae
Grass fly, Monochaetoscinella spp.
A common fly on grasses, but may not necessarily be a pest.
Setacera spp.
A small, somewhat metallic greenish shore fly.
Grallipeza nebulosa
This brightly colored fly with a red body, long black legs, and white marks at the ends of these legs is very common on palmettos and flat surfaces. It is a scavenger and doesn’t sting or bite.
Fungus Gnat – Family Mycetophilidae
Grass fly, Monochaetoscinella spp.
A common fly on grasses, but may not necessarily be a pest.
Setacera spp.
A small, somewhat metallic greenish shore fly.
Grallipeza nebulosa
This brightly colored fly with a red body, long black legs, and white marks at the ends of these legs is very common on palmettos and flat surfaces. It is a scavenger and doesn’t sting or bite.
Dark-Winged Fungus Gnats – Family Sciaridae
Grass fly, Monochaetoscinella spp.
A common fly on grasses, but may not necessarily be a pest.
Setacera spp.
A small, somewhat metallic greenish shore fly.
Grallipeza nebulosa
This brightly colored fly with a red body, long black legs, and white marks at the ends of these legs is very common on palmettos and flat surfaces. It is a scavenger and doesn’t sting or bite.
Gall and Wood Midges – Family Cecidomyiidae
Grass fly, Monochaetoscinella spp.
A common fly on grasses, but may not necessarily be a pest.
Setacera spp.
A small, somewhat metallic greenish shore fly.
Grallipeza nebulosa
This brightly colored fly with a red body, long black legs, and white marks at the ends of these legs is very common on palmettos and flat surfaces. It is a scavenger and doesn’t sting or bite.
The Insects, Spiders, and More of the Tampa Bay Area 