Types of Orange Beetles (With Pictures) – Identification Guide
Orange beetles are unusual insects due to their various orange shades and black markings. It’s not uncommon to find orange-colored beetles in gardens scurrying over foliage or running across the ground. You may also come across beetles with orange bodies in your home. The most common type of orange beetle is probably tangerine-colored ladybugs. However, orange soldier beetles, scarab beetles, and longhorns are all common garden insects.
Most varieties of orange beetles are harmless creatures. And some varieties of orange-bodied beetles are beneficial because they feed on garden and household pests. However, a few kinds of orange beetles can give a harmless bite if they feel threatened.
There are several types of orange beetles, each with their own unique characteristics. Knowing what type of orange beetle you’re dealing with can help you determine its behavior and identify other similar species.
This identification guide includes pictures of different types of orange beetles along with information on where to find them.
Orange Beetle Identification
Orange beetles are identified by their size, markings on their wing cases (elytra), type of antennae, pronotum (thorax), and body shape. Some orange beetles have spotted backs, whereas others have stripes or irregular markings. Like all beetle species, orange beetles have six legs, a pair of antennae, and wings.
Orange beetles — like all species of beetles — are arthropods belonging to the insect order Coleoptera. Beetles are grouped into genera and species to help identify specific kinds. There are over 400,000 species of beetles, a few of which have distinct orange and black colors.
Types of Orange Beetles — Identification Guide With Pictures
Let’s look in detail at the most common kinds of orange beetles and how to identify them.
Common Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva)
The common red soldier beetle is identified by its orange-red body with black patch at the rear
The common red soldier beetle is a small reddish-orange beetle with a distinctive black marking on its wing tips. Identifying features of the slender oblong beetle are its flat body, black and orange antennae, shiny orange head and thorax, and orange and black legs.
The common red soldier beetle measures 0.3” to 0.4” (8 – 10 mm) long. Due to its dark orange, sometimes red color, the beetle is called the bloodsucker beetle. However, this harmless reddish-orange beetle doesn’t bite humans and doesn’t suck blood. In addition, unlike many species of flying beetles with hard wing cases, this one has a soft body.
This orange beetle is considered a beneficial insect because it feeds on aphids and insect larvae. The orange-colored beetle is active in summer, where its primary habitat is grasslands.
Orange beetle identification
The common red soldier beetle is identified by its elongated shape, orange head, thorax, legs, and reddish-orange elytra.
Red Pumpkin Beetle (Aulacophora foveicollis)
The little red pumpkin beetle has a shiny orange-reddish body with large black eyes and feeds on gourd plants
The red pumpkin beetle is recognized by its oval orange-red or orange-yellow elytra, shiny head, and two black pinhead eyes. In addition, this small dark orange beetle has slightly rounded wing cases, slender filiform antennae, and a black abdomen. The beetles and their larvae can destroy crops.
The red pumpkin beetle measures 0.2” to 0.3” (5 – 8 mm) long. It’s a type of leaf beetle because of its appetite for vegetation. The orange beetle feeds on plants in the gourd family, especially pumpkins — hence the name pumpkin beetle. But they also feed on plants like cucumbers, squash, watermelon, and muskmelon.
Orange beetle identification
The red pumpkin beetle’s identifying characteristics are its orangey-red oval wing cases, shiny red thorax and head, and two pronounced big black eyes on the side of its head.
Goldenrod soldier beetle (Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus)
The goldenrod soldier beetle has an orange elongated body with black patches on the wing covers and thorax
The goldenrod soldier beetle is a slender orange insect commonly found in North America. The orange beetle has a distinctive black patch on each wing cover, a black mark on its orange thorax, and a black head. In addition, the black and orange beetle has long black legs.
Goldenrod soldier beetles measure 0.62” (15 mm) long. The flying beetles have orange soft wing covers, and the black oval patches make them easy to recognize during summer when they are most active. During the fall, the beetles and their larvae live in the soil.
Also called the Pennsylvania leatherwing, you will find goldenrod soldier beetles in grassy fields, meadows, and woodlands. They are common on goldenrod flowers and other late-flowering plants. These omnivores also feed on caterpillar eggs and aphids, making them beneficial beetles.
Orange beetle identification
The goldenrod soldier beetle has two elongated brown-black oval markings on its orange elytra, making it easy to identify. It also has a long, slender appearance.
Asian Harlequin Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis)
The Asian harlequin lady beetle has rounded orange body with black spots, however there are color variations and some lack spots
The Asian harlequin lady beetle is an eye-catching orange beetle with a distinctive domed shape and black and white head. The rounded orange elytra has 19 black spots on its back. However, its most distinctive feature is the white ‘M’-shaped mark behind its shiny black head. It also has two white spots on its thorax.
Also called the multicolored Asian or Halloween beetle, the orange ladybug measures 0.21” to 0.33” (5.5 – 8.5 mm) long. Although this orange beetle is identified by its black spots, some beetles have no spots, just dull orange wing covers.
Asian harlequin beetles are common throughout North America. They become a pest when they get into homes. Although they can give a minor bite, they don’t carry disease. However, squishing the bugs can leave a yellowish stain on fabrics.
The best way to prevent Asian lady beetle infestations is to seal any cracks and spaces around fascia boards, windows, and doors.
Orange beetle identification
The Asian harlequin lady beetle is easy to spot with its rounded orange wing cases covered in black dots and the distinctive white mark just above the wing covers.
Hadda Beetle (28-Spotted Potato Ladybug – Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata)
The small hadda beetle is an orange ladybug with black spots and is considered a garden pest
The brightly-orange colored potato ladybug is recognized by the numerous black spots on its rounded elytra. This small yellow or orange bug has a distinct heart shape and a relatively stout, short head. Unlike some species of ladybugs, this orange beetle is considered a garden pest.
As its name suggests, the 28-spotted ladybug feeds on the foliage of potato plants and other plant leaves in the nightshade family Solanaceae.
Orange beetle identification
The 28-spotted ladybug is identified by its rounded orange wing cases covered in tiny black spots.
Grapevine Beetle (Pelidnota punctata)
The large grapevine beetle has light orange color with few black lines and dots
The grapevine beetle is a large pale orange beetle with four distinctive reddish-brown spots along each side. The brownish-orange or pale auburn beetle has an oval body with a thorax and two wing covers in the same color. Its small head is a darker reddish-brown color, and the beetle has six orange-brown legs.
Also called the spotted June beetle or spotted pelidnota beetle, this scarab beetle measures 1” (25 mm) long. The dull orange beetle is active in summer, feeding on grapevine leaves and grapes. However, the large beetle doesn’t damage crops enough to be considered a pest.
Grapevine beetles are common throughout the eastern United States. Unfortunately, these flying insects are also attracted to lights at night and can get into homes this way. However, the orange insects are harmless.
Orange beetle identification
Grapevine beetles are easily recognized by their pale to dull orange color, with a minor triangular black marking between the top of their wing covers.
Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis)
The cardinal beetle had reddish-orange body with black legs and antennae
The orange cardinal beetle has a distinctive shape with its iridescent red-orange wing covers, red head, and shiny red oval thorax. Pictures of this dark orange beetle show it has black legs and black pectinate-shaped antennae. Some species of orange cardinal beetles have black heads.
Orange cardinal beetles typically measure 0.78” (20 mm) long. The orange beetles with black legs are commonly found feeding the nectar of flowers in woodlands and gardens. These omnivore beetles also feed on small invertebrates.
Orange beetle identification
Orange cardinal beetles are identified by their plain reddish-orange elytra without any distinct markings. They have a red thorax and head and two long black feathery or comb-like antennae.
Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)
The small rounded Colorado potato beetle has black and light orange stripes
The Colorado potato beetle is an orange and black striped leaf beetle that can do major damage to crops. The round-looking beetle has orange or light-yellow and black stripes. The Colorado potato beetle doesn’t feed only on potato crops, but they also feed on other plants in the nightshade family.
The Colorado potato beetle has a distinctive pale orange-beige striped oval, rounded body. Also called the ten-lined potato beetle, the highly destructive beetle measures 0.24” to 0.43” (6 – 11 mm) long. The orange-light brown bugs are recognized by their five bold black stripes on each wing cover.
Colorado potato beetle damage on potato crops can be extensive. In some cases, a large infestation can destroy an entire crop.
Orange beetle identification
The small Colorado potato beetle is easy to recognize due to its pale orange-beige and black stripes, flattened orange head with black markings, and two segmented antennae.
Earth-Boring Scarab Beetle (Bolbocerasoma spp.)
The earth-boring scarab beetle (Bolbocerosoma tumefactum) is a small orange and black beetle with yellow antennae
Earth-boring scarab beetles are orange and black beetles with black heads. The small round beetles with their domed elytra have a distinct black line down the middle of their wing cases. In addition, the small beetles have identifiable bright yellow club antennae and a black patch on the middle of their orange pronotum.
Orange and black earth-boring scarabs measure 0.39” to 0.55” (10 – 14 mm) long and have a distinctive round shape. In addition to black stripes on their orange wing covers, the beetles have pitted lines on them. And their orange and black legs are covered in fine setae.
As the name suggests, these scarab beetles tunnel into the ground, sometimes as far as 9 ft. (3 m) deep. The beetles play a vital role in soil health because the small tank-like beetles feed on decaying plant material, dung, and compost.
Orange beetle identification
The earth-boring scarab beetle is easily recognized by its shiny orange thorax and elytra with black markings down its middle and sides. Its glossy black head has two stumpy club-shaped antennae.
Flower Longhorn Beetle (Steneltytrana emarginata)
The elongated flower longhorn beetle is identified by its black head and thorax and orange wing covers
The flower longhorn beetle is an eye-catching slender beetle with dull orange wings covers and a jet-black thorax and head. Identifying features of these orange and black beetles are their long antennae and elytra, forming a distinctive triangular shape. These slender orange beetles are common throughout North America.
The orange and black flower longhorn beetle measures 1” to 1.37” (25 – 35 mm) long. You will usually find these unusually-shaped beetles on flowers or feeding on fermenting fruit. Their larvae also help biodiversity by feeding on decaying beech and elm wood.
Orange beetle identification
The flower longhorn beetle is easily identified due to its orange triangular elytra, elongated thorax, and rounded head. As with all species of longhorn beetles, these insects are characterized by having two large antennae.
Six-Spotted Neolema Beetle (Neolema sexpunctata)
The six-spotted neolema is a small beetle with orange-reddish body and black spots
The six-spotted neolema beetle is a small orange beetle with three black spots on each wing cover. The black-spotted orange beetle has a dark orange thorax and head, two pronounced black eyes, and two filiform antennae. Due to the beetle’s orange color and spotted elytra, it could be easy to mistake it for an orange ladybug.
The tiny six-spotted neolema beetle measures 0.23” to 0.35” (6 – 9 mm). The flying orange beetle is common throughout the eastern United States and is typically found on spiderwort and dayflower plants.
Orange beetle identification
The identifying features of the leaf-eating six-spotted neolema beetle are its shiny orange-red wing covers with six dots, and six robust black legs and long black antennae.
Soft-Winged Flower Beetle (Anthocomus equestris)
The soft-winged flower beetle has black head and thorax and orange and black wing covers
The soft-winged flower beetle is a small orange and black beetle with an oblong shape, round thorax, and bulging eyes on its black head. The characteristics of this beetle are the broad black band across its wing covers, triangular black mark behind the thorax, and a black tail end.
The small orange beetle measures 0.35” to 0.6” (9 – 15 mm) long. Although this is a non-native flying beetle, it doesn’t become a pest or is invasive. The beetles typically feed on the flowers of herbaceous plants during the summer. However, they can enter homes in the evenings because they are attracted to lights.
Orange beetle identification
The soft-winged flower beetle is recognized by its broad black band across its deep orange elytra. Additionally, the tip of its black abdomen extends beyond the orange wing cases, and has a jet-black head, thorax, and antennae.
Spotted Asparagus Beetle (Crioceris duodecimpunctata)
The spotted asparagus beetle is recognized by its small orange body and black spots as well as short black antennae
The spotted asparagus beetle is a small reddish-orange beetle with several black spots on its elytra. This orange beetle has an oval shape with a shiny orange thorax, head, and two protruding black eyes. Up close, you’ll notice that the orange beetle has relatively thick filiform antennae and orange and black legs.
The spotted asparagus beetle only measures 0.19” to 0.25” (5 – 6.5 mm) long. Due to its bright orange color and spotted elytra, it could be easy to mistake this species for a traditional ladybug. These orange beetles feed on asparagus plants and crops in the gourd family. In some regions, these beetles are a significant crop pest.
Orange beetle identification
The spotted asparagus beetle is easily distinguished by its characteristic black spots on its bright orange elytra and bulging black eyes on the front of its head.
Margined Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus marginatus)
The black and orange margined burying beetle has unusual antennae with orange tips
The margined burying beetle is a large orange and black beetle with unusual clubbed antennae and large orange spheres at their tips. This oblong beetle has orange elytra with broad black wavy bands across them. In addition, this beetle species has a large shield-like jet-black pronotum and head. The orange and black beetle measures 0.51” to 0.78” (12 – 20 mm) long.
The distinctive characteristic of this black-banded orange beetle is its habit of burying dead invertebrates. The orange-tipped antennae detect carcasses, and the beetles find them and bury them. In this respect, the margined burying beetle has a vital role in the ecosystem, removing dead insects and small animals from rotting on the ground.
Orange beetle identification
The margined burying beetle is characterized by its orange elongated oval wing cases with black bands traversing them. In addition, it has two distinctive antennae with small ball-like orange spheres at the tips.
End Band Net-Winged Beetle (Calopteron terminale)
The end band net-winged beetle has long orange and black wing covers and black long antennae
The end band net-winged beetle is an orange beetle with two large curved black antennae and black bands across the tips of its dull orange wing covers. These flying beetles resemble fireflies but don’t glow in the dark. Some net-winged beetles have noticeable black marks on the center of their elytra.
The orange and black net-winged beetle measures 0.35” to 0.70” (9 – 18 mm) long. Its native habitat is deciduous woodlands in North America. The beetle is active from July through September.
Orange beetle identification
The end band net-winged beetle is identified by its oversized orange and black wing covers in relation to its body. The orange elytra have lengthwise ridges and a broad band at the tips. Other identifying features are its black legs and black serrated antennae.
Hibiscus Harlequin Bug (Tectocoris diophthalmus)
The hibiscus harlequin bug has an oval orange flat body with dark iridescent spots
The hibiscus harlequin bug is a broadly oval beetle in the shape of a flattened round shield. A feature of these beetles is that the females are mostly orange whereas males are orange with greenish iridescent spots.
The metallic orange and greenish-blue beetles measure around 0.78” (20 mm) long and almost as wide. The orange beetles also feel like bugs because they bite plant tissue and suck on plant juices. The brightly-colored beetles feed on plants like cotton, okra, hollyhock, mallow, and linden trees.
Orange beetle identification
The hibiscus harlequin has a rounded shape and orange and iridescent blue elytra whereas the females have a dominant orange color.
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