Beetles are one of the most diverse insects you can find in your garden. Having so many species, it’s quite difficult to identify them. While some beetles help with pollination, many others are pests that can cause damage to your crops. As a gardener, you must learn how to identify these insects and know how to control them.
In this article, we will discuss features to look out for when identifying beetles so you can control them if the need arises.
Basic Anatomy of Beetles
Despite the diversity of beetle species, they share a very similar anatomy. They have characteristic forewings, known as elytra, which protect the flight wings. This forewing comes in different colours and patterns. Their heads have eyes and antennae that vary widely between the various species – the head can be club-shaped or saw-like.
Their thorax has a plate-like structure known as the pronotum, which can have spines or pits depending on the species. The abdomen is located below the hardened forewings and can be smooth or hairy. Beetles’ legs are built for running and digging, so they can cause harm to crops.
Taking note of these features can help you identify any species of beetles in your garden. It can also help you tell the difference between beneficial and harmful beetles.
Common Beetles in the Garden
You might discover so many beetles in the garden. Some are beneficial while some are harmful. We’ll describe how you can tell the difference between these two kinds of beetles.
Beneficial Beetle
Beneficial beetles have oval-shaped or more streamlined bodies, which allow them to move easily. Their mouthparts are designed for chewing, so they can attack and consume smaller pests such as mites. Not only do they hunt for smaller pests, they also assist in the pollination of flowers. They have characteristic bright colours which make them noticeable. Examples of beneficial beetles include ladybugs and soldier beetles.
Beetles
Unlike beneficial beetles which are mostly single, harmful beetles move in groups. They have a character C-shaped larva which they use to damage leaves, stems, and roots. These beetles also scavenge for smaller pests but do not help with pollination. Examples of these beetles include the Japanese beetles and the Colorado Potato Beetles.
Tools for Identifying Beetles
Since you might not be an entomologist, identifying beetles at first glance will be difficult. You need tools to view the structure of the insects. Aside from viewing the structure, you also need equipment that can trap some species of beetles. Below is a list of some of the things you need.
- Hand lens of 10× magnification
- Sweep net
- Macro camera
- Pitfall trap for ground beetles
- Mobile apps with AI that can identify insects
Even with all of these instruments, you might not be able to identify every beetle you come across. Some beetles only differ from each other by slight differences. Some beetles have dimples located on their elytra, while some have tiny spots that can’t be seen with the naked eye or 10× magnifying glasses. If you can’t find your way around this, you can spray insecticides against them.
Identifying Beetles Through Habitats and Feeding Patterns
Different species of beetles occupy different habitats in the garden. They also have different feeding patterns. Knowing the beetles that occupy certain places gives you a clue to the species of beetles in your garden.
Species like Japanese Beetles live on the surface of the leaves and feed there. Ground Beetles are commonly seen on the soil during the day. Fireflies with their lightning features are seen mostly at night in grassy areas. There are also wood-boring beetles found on the bark of trees.
The feeding patterns tell you the kind of beetles that might be in your garden, even if you have not seen any. If you see notched leaves in your garden, then it’s a sign that there might be weevils around. Skeletonized foliage is a type of damage most likely caused by flea beetles.
Conclusion
Beetles play a crucial role in the ecosystem. You must learn how to manage the population of beetles in your garden. If you are a beginner, you must know their structures and habits because they direct you on how to control them.