Denver-Boulder Metro Area: Bugs
This guide contains spiders, bees, wasps, ants, beetles, dragonflies, grasshoppers, flies and other bugs that can be found in the Denver-Boulder Metro Area, including Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties.
American Bumble Bee
The American bumblebee (Bombus pensylvanicus), also known as the Sonoran bumblebee, is a species of bumblebee native to North America. It occurs in eastern Canada, throughout much of the United States, and much of Mexico.
Golden Northern Bumble Bee
The Yellow Bumble Bee or Golden Northern Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus) is a species of bumblebee native to North America. It have a yellow coloured abdomen and thorax.
Western Bumble Bee
Bombus occidentalis, the western bumblebee, is one of around 30 bumblebee species present in the western United States and western Canada. A recent review of all of its close relatives worldwide appears to have confirmed its status as a separate species.
Western Honey Bee
The western honey bee or European honey bee (Apis mellifera) is the most common of the 7–12 species of honey bee worldwide. The genus name Apis is Latin for "bee", and mellifera means "honey-bearing", referring to the species' tendency to produce a large quantity of honey for storage over the winter.
Green Metallic Sweat Bee
Augochloropsis metallica is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae.
Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee
Agapostemon virescens, the bicolored striped-sweat bee, is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It is found in North America.
Ligated Furrow Bee
Halictus ligatus is a species of sweat bee from the family Halictidae, characterized by those bees that mine or burrow into the ground to create their nests. Moreover, As a member of the Halictidae, H. ligatus is commonly categorized a sweat bee due to its attraction to the salts of human perspiration. H. ligatus, like Lasioglossum zephyrum, is a ...more ↓
Orange-legged Furrow Bee
Halictus rubicundus is a species of sweat bee found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. H. rubicundus was introduced into North America from the Old World during one of two main invasions of Halictus subgenera. These invasions likely occurred via the Bering land bridge at times of low sea level during the Pleistocene epoch.
Zephyr Sweat Bee
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European Wool Carder Bee
Anthidium manicatum, common name European wool carder bee, is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, the leaf-cutter bees or mason bees.
Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee
Megachile rotundata, the alfalfa leafcutter bee or leafcutter bee is a European bee that has been introduced to various regions around the world. As a solitary bee species, it does not build colonies or store honey, but is a very efficient pollinator of alfalfa, carrots, other vegetables and some fruits. Because of this, farmers often use M. rotundata as a ...more ↓
Common Little Leaf-cutter Bee
Megachile brevis is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae. It was described by Say in 1837.
Andrena
Andrena, commonly called the mining bee, is the largest genus in the family Andrenidae, and is nearly worldwide in distribution, with the notable exceptions of Oceania and South America. With over 1,300 species, it is one of the largest of all bee genera. Species are often brown to black with whitish abdominal hair bands, though other colors are possible, most commonly ...more ↓
European paper wasp
The European paper wasp (Polistes dominula often misspelled as dominulus) is one of the more common and well-known species of social wasps in Europe. Polistes dominula is often referred to as the European Paper Wasp because of its native distribution and its nests, which are constructed from paper and saliva. Its diet is more versatile than that of most Polistes ...more ↓
Dark Paper Wasp
Polistes fuscatus, whose common name is the golden or northern paper wasp, is widely found throughout southern Canada, the United States, and Central America. It often nests around human development. However, it greatly prefers areas in which wood is readily available for use as nest material, therefore they are also found near and in woodlands and savannas. P. ...more ↓
Western Paper Wasp
Mischocyttarus flavitarsis is a social paper wasp found in Western North America. Their nests can be found both in forests close to rivers or in close proximity to human life under the eaves of roofs. Despite the fact that M. flavitarsis nests are frequently in close contact with humans, M. flavitarsis typically will not sting, but rather ram into the threatening ...more ↓
Common Aerial Yellowjacket
Dolichovespula arenaria, also known as the common aerial yellowjacket, sandhills hornet, and common yellow hornet, is a species of wasps within the Dolichovespula genus widely distributed in the North American continent.
Bald-faced Hornet
Dolichovespula maculata is a North American wasp commonly called the bald-faced hornet, white-faced hornet, white-tailed hornet, blackjacket or bull wasp. Its well-known features include its hanging paper nests and the females' habit of defending them with repeated stings.
Prairie Yellowjacket
Vespula atropilosa, also known as the prairie yellowjacket, is a black and yellow social wasp that forms annual colonies. Vespula atropilosa was formerly a member of the Vespa family. Males have either xanthic (yellow) or melanic (black) abdominal coloring. The prairie yellowjacket can be found in the Western and Midwestern United States as well as parts of ...more ↓
Western Yellowjacket
The western yellowjacket (Vespula pensylvanica) is a species of wasp in the genus Vespula.
Long-tailed Giant Ichneumonid Wasp
Megarhyssa macrurus (common name giant ichneumon wasp), is a species of large ichneumon wasp.
American Pelecinid
Pelecinus polyturator is a large (up to 7 cm) glossy black wasp, the most common and familiar species in the family Pelecinidae. The adults drink nectar. They live in crop fields, woods, and suburban gardens throughout North, Central, and South America. Their antennae are long and the females have an elongated, cylindrical, articulated metasoma. They are parasitoids that lay ...more ↓
Pigeon Tremex
The Pigeon tremex, Tremex columba, is a species of horntail, native to Eastern and Western North America. The females are larger than the males, with females growing to 25-30mm in length, and males about 20-25mm. The larvae feed on dead and dying trees such as beech, elm, maple, and oak.
Elm Sawfly
Cimbex americana, the elm sawfly, is a species of cimbicid sawfly in the family Cimbicidae.
Green Claybank Tiger Beetle
Cicindela denverensis, the green claybank tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.
Twelve-spotted Tiger Beetle
Cicindela duodecimguttata, commonly known as the twelve-spotted tiger beetle, is a species of tiger beetle that is 12-15 millimeters long and is dark brown to black. In most of the beetles in the species, there are twelve spots on the elytra. The species are commonly found along rivers, moist trails, roads, and paths.
Common Claybank Tiger Beetle
Cicindela limbalis is a species of tiger beetle. The length of the beetle is 12–16 millimeters (0.5–0.6 in). The beetle's back is reddish purple and sometimes may be dull green or brown. The species can commonly be found on steep, moist bare clay soil. The beetle can live for 3 years.
Western Tiger Beetle
Cicindela oregona, also called the Western Tiger Beetle, is a species of ground beetles native to North America.
Bronzed Tiger Beetle
Cicindela repanda, commonly known as the bronzed tiger beetle or common shore tiger beetle, is a species of tiger beetle that measures 10–13 millimetres (0.39–0.51 in) long, lives in most of North America. Its labrum is small with one tooth and the pronotum is coppery and hairy. The shoulder marking touches or nearly touches the middle band. It is usually seen in ...more ↓
Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle
Cicindela tranquebarica, the oblique-lined tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.
Wood Ground-beetle
Carabus nemoralis is a ground beetle common in central and northern Europe, as well as Iceland and the island of Newfoundland. It has also been introduced to and expanding its range in throughout North America.
Zygogramma conjuncta
Zygogramma conjuncta is a species of beetle belonging to the family Zygogramma.
St. Johnswort Beetle
Chrysolina is a large genus of leaf beetles in the subfamily Chrysomelinae. The species Chrysolina cerealis and C. graminis are protected in the United Kingdom. All species of Chrysolina are phytophagous, feeding on specific food plants, and some of them have been used for biological control of weeds. To control Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort), ...more ↓
Green Dock Beetle
Gastrophysa cyanea, the green dock beetle, is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America.
Cottonwood Leaf Beetle
Chrysomela scripta, the cottonwood leaf beetle, is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in Central America and North America.
Willow Leaf Beetle
Plagiodera versicolora is a species of leaf beetle (subfamily Chrysomelinae) in the genus Plagiodera.
Spinach Flea Beetle
Disonycha xanthomelas is a species in the tribe Alticini ("flea beetles"), in the subfamily Galerucinae ("skeletonizing leaf beetles and flea beetles"). The species is known generally as the "spinach flea beetle". It is found in North America.
Sumac Flea Beetle
Blepharida rhois (also known as Sumac Flea Beetle) is a species of leaf beetles of the subfamily Galerucinae. The colour of the species is red, with white dots and yellow head. They are 6 millimetres (0.24 in) in length. The species can be found in Oklahoma.
Spotted Cucumber Beetle
The spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata) is a major agricultural pest insect of North America (see also cucumber beetle). In the adult form, it eats and damages leaves of many crops, including cucumbers, soybeans, cotton, beans, and many others. In the larval form, which is known as the southern corn rootworm, it tunnels through the roots of young ...more ↓
Dogbane Leaf Beetle
Chrysochus auratus, or the dogbane beetle of eastern North America, is a member of the insect subfamily Eumolpinae. It is primarily found east of the Rocky Mountains One of the brightest in its family, it is iridescent blue-green with a metallic copper, golden or crimson shine. Its diet consists of dogbane and milkweed. It measures between 8 and 11 mm (less than 0.5 ...more ↓
Common Asparagus Beetle
The common asparagus beetle (Crioceris asparagi) is an important pest of asparagus crops both in Europe and in North America. Asparagus is its only food plant. The beetle is about half a centimeter long, metallic blue-black in color with cream or yellow spots on its red-bordered elytra. The larvae are fat gray grubs with dark heads.
Goldenrod Leaf Miner Beetle
Microrhopala vittata, the goldenrod leaf miner, is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America.
Golden Tortoise Beetle
The golden tortoise beetle (Charidotella sexpunctata) is a species of beetle in the leaf beetle family, Chrysomelidae. It is native to the Americas.
24-spot Ladybird
Subcoccinella vigintiquatuorpunctata (the 24-spot ladybird) is a beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is the only member of the genus Subcoccinella. It has the typical, almost semi-spherical, ladybird shape and is patterned with spots. However it differs from many of the well-known ladybirds in being neither smooth and shiny nor an eater of aphids: the ...more ↓
Spotted Lady Beetle
Coleomegilla maculata, commonly known as the spotted lady beetle, pink spotted lady beetle or twelve-spotted lady beetle, is a large coccinellid beetle native to North America. The adults and larvae feed primarily on aphids and the species has been used as a biological control agent.
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis is a large coccinellid beetle. Its colour ranges from yellow-orange to black, and the number of spots between none and 22. It is native to eastern Asia, but has been artificially introduced to North America and Europe to control aphids and scale insects. It is now common, well known, and spreading in those regions, and has also established in South Africa and ...more ↓
Convergent Lady Beetle
Hippodamia convergens, commonly known as the convergent lady beetle, is one of the most common lady beetles in North America and is found throughout the continent. Aphids form their main diet and they are used for the biological control of these pests.
Adonis Ladybird
Hippodamia variegata is a species of black-spotted lady beetles belonging to the family Coccinellidae, subfamily Coccinellinae.
Nine-spotted Ladybug
Coccinella novemnotata, the nine-spotted ladybug or nine-spotted lady beetle, is a species of ladybug native to North America.
Seven-spotted Ladybird
Coccinella septempunctata, the seven-spot ladybird (or, in North America, seven-spotted ladybug or "C-7"), is the most common ladybird in Europe. Its elytra are of a red colour, but punctuated with three black spots each, with one further spot being spread over the junction of the two, making a total of seven spots, from which the species derives both its ...more ↓
Three-banded Ladybug
Coccinella trifasciata, the three-banded lady beetle, is a species of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae.
Two-spotted Ladybug
Adalia bipunctata, commonly known as the two-spot ladybird, two-spotted ladybug or two-spotted lady beetle, is a carnivorous beetle of the family Coccinellidae that is found throughout the holarctic region. It is very common in western and central Europe and North America. It is used as a biological control agent.
Spotless Lady Beetle
Cycloneda sanguinea is a widespread species of ladybird beetle in the Americas. This ladybug can be distinguished from others because of it's lack of spots on the elytra.
Cream-spotted Ladybird
The cream-spot ladybird, Calvia quatuordecimguttata, is a species of ladybird in the family Coccinellidae. Its distribution is holarctic, it being found in northern Europe, northern Asia and North America. This ladybird is generally 4 to 5 millimetres (0.16 to 0.20 in) in length and varies in appearance depending on the geographical location. It usually lives in hedgerows ...more ↓
Red-backed Darkling Beetle
Eleodes suturalis, or the red-backed darkling beetle is a species of darkling beetle in the genus Eleodes. Their known range extends from South Dakota to Texas, and are not known to exist west of the Rocky Mountains. They can be easily identified by the distinctive red stripe which goes down the center of their decently flat elytra.
Slender Lizard Beetle
Acropteroxys gracilis, the slender lizard beetle, is a species of lizard beetle in the family Erotylidae. It is found in Central America and North America.
Red Flat Bark Beetle
Cucujus clavipesis known as the flat bark beetle . It is found throughout North America . These are generally found near tree line under bark of dead poplar and ash trees . C. clavipes are described as phloem-feeding and often predators of other small insects, such as wood-boring beetles, and mites . These are usually seen during spring-summer seasons . Having a ...more ↓
Ornate Checkered Beetle
Trichodes ornatus, commonly known as Ornate Checkered Beetle, is a beetle species of checkered beetles belonging to the family Cleridae, subfamily Clerinae which can be found only in North America.
Strawberry Root Weevil
Otiorhynchus ovatus, also called the Strawberry Root Weevil, occurs across Canada and the northern United States and is one of the many species in the weevil family (Curculionidae). Its name comes from its affinity for strawberry plants, which form a large part of its diet. They are, however, known to feed on other plants as well. Occasionally the larvae cause serious damage to ...more ↓
Green Immigrant Leaf Weevil
Polydrusus sericeus is a species of broad-nosed weevils belonging to the family Curculionidae, subfamily Entiminae.
California Prionus
Prionus californicus, commonly known as the California root borer, is a species of insect in the longhorn beetle family (Cerambycidae). It is native to the American west where it is often a pest of orchard and vine crops.
