Beetles are some of the most fascinating types of insects that you will come across. Many types of beetles are harmless and can be beneficial for gardens or backyards. However, there are also some beetle species that can destroy plants or vegetation. Identifying beetles by their color, body shape, and other features can help to know which type of beetle you have.

Spiders are a common sight in California. And the Bear Flag State is home to a wide range of arachnids, most of which are harmless, but some are venomous and can inflict a nasty bite. Common species of spiders in California you might spot outdoors are tarantulas, wolf spiders, yellow and black garden spiders, and jumping spiders. Indoor California spiders include the black widow, brown widow, and American house spider.

Arizona is home to a large number of spider species. From common brown house spiders to venomous black widows and intimidating wolf spiders, the Grand Canyon state has many different kinds of arachnids. Arizona spiders include the native Arizona brown spider, Arizona recluse, cellar spiders, and tarantulas. While all spiders can bite, two dangerous Arizona spider species are the brown recluse and the black widow.

Ladybugs (also called ladybirds and lady beetles) are a type of beetle that usually have a red, oval-shaped body with black spots. The most common color of ladybugs is red but some types of ladybugs have yellow, orange, black, gray, or even pink bodies.

Brown ladybugs can be hard to spot because they tend to blend in with their surroundings. Ladybugs with brown wing cases camouflage well on plants, shrubs, and trees. Their tan, dark brown, chestnut, or mahogany colors make them difficult to spot on twigs and branches. Additionally, the creamy-colored markings on some brown ladybugs only add to their camouflage abilities.

Black ladybugs with red spots are relatively common. Of course, red-spotted black ladybugs are not as common as red ladybugs. But you can find black ladybugs on shrubs, flowers, and other plants in your yard if you look hard enough. Common types of black ladybugs with red spots include the twice-stabbed ladybug, harlequin ladybug, and pine ladybug.

A ladybug has four stages of its life cycle—the egg stage, larval stage, pupal stage, and adult stage. Like the life cycle of most insects, ladybugs look entirely different in each cycle. From a tiny egg less than 0.04” (1 mm) in size to a small flying beetle with spotted wing covers, an adult ladybug can live for up to 12 months.

Finding weevils in a bag of rice can be an unsettling experience. The tiny reddish-brown beetles can infest rice, stored grains, pasta, cake mixes, and other cereal products. What’s worse, the small bugs can lay hundreds of microscopic eggs in grain kernels that hatch into larvae and then become adult weevils. Because of their minuscule size, rice weevils are difficult to spot in grain products.