Beetle Families

The most recent checklist of beetles of the British Isles includes 4072 species in 103 families, listed in taxonomic order below. Click on the links to obtain more information about each family, including identification guides, websites and (where appropriate) recording schemes. This guide has been prepared by Mark Gurney. A pdf version is available here.

I find the easiest way to identify a beetle is to look through a reference collection of well-carded specimens. You need a museum for this, which is not always convenient. As a substitute, here is a collection of photographs of specimens from Lech Borowiec's website. A few families are represented by photos from Udo Schmidt. Thanks to both of them for permission to use their photos here, and for making these resources available to everyone on their websites.

Size and shape are important things to look for when trying to match beetles to families. Is the body rounded or rather straightsided? Is it wide or narrow, tapering or widest towards the rear? Do the wing-cases cover the whole abdomen or are there some segments exposed? How long are the antennae relative to the body and the palps? Note also whether the antennae are clubbed, and whether any of the tarsal segments are lobed (in families with lobed tarsal segments, often only one segment is lobed).

How to use this guide:

The number in front of the family name is the number of species in that family. The family name is followed by the size range of species in the family, and then by the number of segments in the tarsi (front-middle-hind), stating 'Lobed' if some of the tarsal segments are lobed. The number and shape of tarsal segments is used in most keys, but on small beetles they are not easy to see. One of the segments is often much smaller and hidden among the others, and this is not counted in the number given. Do not worry if you are not sure how many segments there are: you can identify most beetles without needing to count their tarsal segments.

Not all the species in each family are shown, but I have included what I hope is a broad enough range to illustrate the variety of shapes and colours within the family. If you find a match for your specimen, do still carry on the end of the guide to make sure that there is nothing else that is an even better match later on. It is quite likely that your specimen will not match any one of the species illustrated here. In that case, you might at least find that it looks more like some families than others, and that will give you a starting point when you look elsewhere. You can also use the illustrations as a check if you are using a key: if you cannot decide which way to go at a couplet, have a look at the families that either side leads you to and you might find it obvious that your beetle does or does not belong to one side or another.

This guide is just another source to help you name a beetle. It will not always work. Neither will any of the other guides and keys out there, so use as many different sources as you can find, and be prepared to let some things remain as mysteries until you have more experience.

If you are just starting out, you might make mistakes or think that your beetle seems not to belong to any family. This is frustrating. But the only difference between you and an expert is experience. If you build up a collection, it will not take long before you can recognise groups of species at a glance and you get a feel for where a beetle might belong. Just as important, you will soon know when something does not fit and you need to look elsewhere. None of this is much comfort when you are stuck with a seemingly unidentifiable insect, but remember that things do get easier.

Photos © Lech Borowiec. Used here with permission. Larger versions are on his website. Photos of the Limnichidae, Ptilodactylidae, Drilidae, Bothrideridae, and Raymondionymidae by Udo Schmidt available under a creative commons Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic licence.

 

  • Sphaeriusidae (Minute bog beetles). 1 species 1mm Tarsi: 3-3-3.
    • Sphaerius acaroides

  • Gyrinidae (Whirligig beetles). 12 species 3-7mm Tarsi: Strange.
    Whirligigs. Hind and middle legs reduced to paddles. Included within the Water Beetles group.
    • Gyrinus suffriani

  • Haliplidae (Crawling water beetles). 19 species 2-5mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Black and brown stripes or blotches. Arched on the back.
    • Brychius elevatus
    • Haliplus heydeni
    • Haliplus varius

  • Noteridae . 2 species 4-5mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Widest at the front, tapering wing-cases. Short antennae.
    • Noterus clavicornis

  • Hygrobiidae (Screech beetles). 1 species 10mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Screech beetle. Distinctive markings. Squeaks when handled.
    • Hygrobia hermanni

  • Dytiscidae (Diving beetles). 120 species 1-38mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Oval beetles. Tapering, long hind legs. Long antennae.
    • Acilius canaliculatus
    • Agabus bipustulatus
    • Agabus conspersus
    • Agabus didymus
    • Agabus sturmii
    • Agabus undulatus
    • Bidessus minutissimus
    • Hydroglyphus geminus
    • Hygrotus impressopunctatus
    • Hygrotus parallellogrammus
    • Colymbetes fuscus
    • Cybister lateralimarginalis
    • Deronectes latus
    • Graphoderus bilineatus
    • Graptodytes bilineatus
    • Graptodytes pictus
    • Hydaticus seminiger
    • Hydroporus erythrocephalus
    • Hydroporus palustris
    • Hydroporus tristis
    • Hydrovatus cuspidatus
    • Hygrotus inaequalis
    • Hyphydrus ovatus
    • Ilybius ater
    • Laccophilus poecilus
    • Liopterus haemorrhoidalis
    • Nebrioporus elegans
    • Oreodytes sanmarkii
    • Platambus maculatus
    • Rhantus suturalis
    • Stictotarsus duodecimpustulatus

  • Carabidae (Ground beetles). 374 species 2-30mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Ground beetles. Tiny to large. Most are black, brown, or metallic. Long antennae and legs.
    • Agonum gracile
    • Oxypselaphus obscurus
    • Amara tibialis
    • Asaphidion flavipes
    • Badister unipustulatus
    • Bembidion lampros
    • Brachinus crepitans
    • Calathus melanocephalus
    • Carabus problematicus
    • Cicindela campestris
    • Odacantha melanura
    • Demetrias imperialis
    • Paradromius linearis
    • Dyschirius obscurus
    • Elaphrus cupreus
    • Harpalus affinis
    • Leistus rufomarginatus
    • Loricera pilicornis
    • Syntomus foveatus
    • Notiophilus biguttatus
    • Omophron limbatum
    • Pterostichus macer
    • Stenolophus mixtus

  • Helophoridae (Water scavenger beetles). 20 species 2-7mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Short antennae, long palps.
    • Helophorus griseus
    • Helophorus tuberculatus

  • Georissidae . 1 species 1-2mm Tarsi: 4-4-4.
    Squat, small, dimpled wing-cases.
    • Georissus crenulatus

  • Hydrochidae . 7 species 2-4mm Tarsi: 4-4-4., Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Dimpled wing-cases with ridges. Short antennae. Bulging eyes.
    • Hydrochus crenatus

  • Spercheidae . 1 species 5-7mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Wide, short pronotum, Short antennae.
    • Spercheus emarginatus

  • Hydrophilidae . 72 species 1-40mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Long palps. Some look like Histerids.
    • Anacaena globulus
    • Berosus signaticollis
    • Cercyon convexiusculus
    • Cercyon unipunctatus
    • Cercyon ustulatus
    • Coelostoma orbiculare
    • Cryptopleurum crenatum
    • Cryptopleurum subtile
    • Enochrus melanocephalus
    • Enochrus nigritus
    • Helochares obscurus
    • Hydrochara caraboides
    • Laccobius minutus
    • Limnoxenus niger
    • Megasternum concinnum
    • Sphaeridium lunatum
    • Sphaeridium scarabaeoides

  • Sphaeritidae . 1 species 5-6mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    • Sphaerites glabratus

  • Histeridae (Hister beetles, clown beetles). 52 species 1-10mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Clubbed antennae. Rounded or squat, legs often flattened. Wing-cases often shorter than the abdomen.
    • Abraeus granulum
    • Acritus nigricornis
    • Atholus bimaculatus
    • Carcinops pumilio
    • Dendrophilus pygmaeus
    • Gnathoncus buyssoni
    • Haeterius ferrugineus
    • Hister bissexstriatus
    • Margarinotus brunneus
    • Onthophilus punctatus
    • Paromalus flavicornis
    • Plegaderus dissectus
    • Saprinus virescens

  • Hydraenidae . 34 species 1-7mm Tarsi: 4-4-4.
    Some have ridiculously long palps.
    • Hydraena riparia
    • Limnebius truncatellus
    • Ochthebius dilatatus

  • Ptiliidae (Featherwing beetles). 75 species 1mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Tiny. Antennae swollen at base and with club at tip.
    • Ptenidium longicorne
    • Baeocrara variolosa

  • Leiodidae (Round fungus beetles). 95 species 1-7mm Tarsi: 4-3-3., Tarsi: 5-3-3., Tarsi: 5-5-4., Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    • Agathidium laevigatum
    • Agathidium nigripenne
    • Anisotoma humeralis
    • Catops morio
    • Leptinus testaceus

  • Silphidae (Sexton beetles, burying beetles, carrion beetles). 21 species 9-30mm Tarsi: 5-5-5. Lobed or not.
    Large beetles. Antennae clubbed or gradually wider towards the tip.
    • Nicrophorus investigator
    • Oiceoptoma thoracicum
    • Phosphuga atrata
    • Aclypea opaca
    • Thanatophilus rugosus
    • Silpha tristis

  • Staphylinidae (Rove beetles, staphs). 1130 species 1-24mm Tarsi: 3-3-3., Tarsi: 5-5-5. Lobed or not.
    A huge family of beetles. Almost all of them have very short wing-cases leaving at least three segments of the abdomen exposed. Most of them are slender and long.
    • Acrotona pygmaea
    • Aleochara bipustulata
    • Aleochara brevipennis
    • Alevonota gracilenta
    • Anomognathus cuspidatus
    • Atheta triangulum
    • Autalia impressa
    • Bolitochara obliqua
    • Cordalia obscura
    • Cypha longicornis
    • Dinarda maerkeli
    • Drusilla canaliculata
    • Hygronoma dimidiata
    • Lomechusa emarginata
    • Myllaena dubia
    • Phytosus balticus
    • Zyras haworthi
    • Euaesthetus ruficapillus
    • Habrocerus capillaricornis
    • Micropeplus fulvus
    • Anthobium atrocephalum
    • Megarthrus denticollis
    • Omalium rivulare
    • Oxyporus rufus
    • Deleaster dichrous
    • Astenus pulchellus
    • Lathrobium geminum
    • Paederus littoralis
    • Rugilus angustatus
    • Bledius fergussoni
    • Anotylus rugosus
    • Bibloplectus pusillus
    • Brachygluta fossulata
    • Claviger testaceus
    • Fagniezia impressa
    • Scaphidium quadrimaculatum
    • Atrecus affinis
    • Creophilus maxillosus
    • Emus hirtus
    • Gauropterus fulgidus
    • Ocypus ophthalmicus
    • Ontholestes tessellatus
    • Philonthus atratus
    • Philonthus lepidus
    • Platydracus latebricola
    • Staphylinus erythropterus
    • Stenus biguttatus
    • Stenus fossulatus
    • Lordithon lunulatus
    • Tachinus subterraneus
    • Tachyporus hypnorum

  • Geotrupidae (Dor beetles). 8 species 11-26mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    • Anoplotrupes stercorosus
    • Geotrupes mutator
    • Trypocopris vernalis
    • Typhaeus typhoeus

  • Trogidae (Hide beetles). 3 species 5-10mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    • Trox sabulosus
    • Trox scaber

  • Lucanidae (Stag beetles). 4 species 10-66mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    • Dorcus parallelipipedus
    • Platycerus caraboides
    • Sinodendron cylindricum

  • Scarabaeidae (Scarab beetles, dung beetles). 88 species 2-20mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    • Aegialia arenaria
    • Anomala dubia
    • Aphodius coenosus
    • Aphodius quadrimaculatus
    • Aphodius sticticus
    • Aphodius subterraneus
    • Aphodius fasciatus
    • Aphodius paykulli
    • Copris lunaris
    • Diastictus vulneratus
    • Euheptaulacus sus
    • Gnorimus variabilis
    • Hoplia philanthus
    • Onthophagus similis
    • Onthophagus taurus
    • Oxyomus sylvestris
    • Phyllopertha horticola
    • Pleurophorus caesus
    • Protaetia metallica
    • Rhyssemus germanus
    • Serica brunnea
    • Trichius fasciatus

  • Eucinetidae (Plate-thigh beetles). 1 species 3mm Tarsi: 5-5-5. Lobed.

  • Clambidae (Fringe-winged beetles). 10 species 1-2mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Clubbed antennae, very wide heads with pointed corners.
    • Clambus pubescens
    • Clambus punctulum

  • Scirtidae (Marsh beetles). 20 species 1-4mm Tarsi: 5-5-5. Lobed.
    • Cyphon coarctatus
    • Cyphon ochraceus
    • Cyphon padi
    • Cyphon palustris
    • Cyphon laevipennis
    • Cyphon variabilis
    • Odeles marginata
    • Elodes minuta
    • Elodes pseudominuta
    • Hydrocyphon deflexicollis
    • Microcara testacea
    • Prionocyphon serricornis
    • Scirtes orbicularis

  • Dascillidae (Orchid beetles). 1 species 10mm Tarsi: 5-5-5. Lobed.
    • Dascillus cervinus

  • Buprestidae (Jewel beetles). 18 species 2-12mm Tarsi: 5-5-5. Lobed.
    Jewel beetles. Large eyes. Usually metallic and with a wide pronotum and slightly tapering wing-cases.
    • Agrilus angustulus
    • Anthaxia nitidula
    • Aphanisticus pusillus
    • Melanophila acuminata
    • Trachys minuta
    • Trachys troglodytes

  • Byrrhidae (Pill beetles). 13 species 1-10mm Tarsi: 4-4-4., Tarsi: 5-5-5. Lobed.
    Pill beetles. Rounded. Legs flattened. The legs and antennae can be withdrawn into grooves on the underside of the body so the whole beetle becomes an oval pill and seems to have no appendages.
    • Byrrhus arietinus
    • Cytilus sericeus
    • Morychus aeneus
    • Porcinolus murinus
    • Simplocaria semistriata
    • Chaetophora spinosa

  • Elmidae (Riffle beetles). 12 species 1-4mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Long hind tarsi.
    • Elmis aenea
    • Limnius volckmari

  • Dryopidae (Long-toed water beetles). 9 species 3-4mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Very hairy. Distinctive antennae.
    • Dryops ernesti

  • Limnichidae . 1 species 1-2mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.

  • Heteroceridae (Mud beetles). 8 species 2-5mm Tarsi: 4-4-4.
    Tiny antennae like short handlebars on the side of the head. Elongate and hairy. Flattened legs.
    • Heterocerus fenestratus
    • Augyles hispidulus
    • Heterocerus obsoletus

  • Psephenidae (Water-penny beetles). 1 species 1-2mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Oval with long antennae.
    • Eubria palustris

  • Ptilodactylidae . 1 species 3-5mm

  • Eucnemidae (False click beetles). 7 species 3-10mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    • Microrhagus pygmaeus
    • Eucnemis capucina
    • Hylis cariniceps
    • Melasis buprestoides

  • Throscidae . 5 species 1-3mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    • Aulonothroscus brevicollis
    • Trixagus carinifrons

  • Elateridae (Click beetles). 73 species 3-30mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    • Actenicerus sjaelandicus
    • Agrypnus murinus
    • Adrastus rachifer
    • Ampedus cinnabarinus
    • Ampedus nigrinus
    • Cardiophorus asellus
    • Cardiophorus gramineus
    • Ctenicera cuprea
    • Denticollis linearis
    • Diacanthous undulatus
    • Hypnoidus riparius
    • Negastrius sabulicola
    • Oedostethus quadripustulatus

  • Drilidae . 1 species 6mm Tarsi: 5-5-5. Lobed.
    Only the male has the combs on the antennae.

  • Lycidae (Net-winged beetles). 3 species 5-9mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Red beetles with net-veined wing-cases.
    • Dictyoptera aurora
    • Platycis minutus
    • Pyropterus nigroruber

  • Lampyridae (Glow-worms). 3 species 5-15mm Tarsi: 5-5-5. Lobed.
    Glow worms.
    • Lampyris noctiluca
    • Lamprohiza splendidula
    • Phosphaenus hemipterus

  • Cantharidae (Soldier beetles, sailor beetles). 42 species 2-15mm Tarsi: 5-5-5. Lobed.
    Soft wing-cases. Long antennae. Usually black or orange. Malthodes and related genera have short wing-cases, often with pale spots at the tips.
    • Ancistronycha abdominalis
    • Cantharis decipiens
    • Cantharis figurata
    • Cantharis fusca
    • Cantharis lateralis
    • Malthinus balteatus
    • Malthinus flaveolus
    • Malthodes flavoguttatus
    • Malthodes fuscus
    • Malthodes lobatus
    • Malthodes mysticus
    • Rhagonycha elongata
    • Rhagonycha fulva
    • Rhagonycha lignosa
    • Rhagonycha lutea

  • Derodontidae . 1 species 1-2mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed.
    Dimpled pronotum and wing-cases. Tiny.
    • Laricobius erichsonii

  • Dermestidae (Larder beetles). 40 species 1-8mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Carpet beetles. Like the pill beetles, these can withdraw their legs and antennae into slots.
    • Anthrenus fuscus
    • Anthrenus pimpinellae
    • Anthrenus verbasci
    • Attagenus pellio
    • Attagenus smirnovi
    • Attagenus unicolor
    • Ctesias serra
    • Dermestes frischii
    • Dermestes haemorrhoidalis
    • Dermestes lardarius
    • Dermestes maculatus
    • Dermestes murinus
    • Globicornis rufitarsis
    • Megatoma undata
    • Trinodes hirtus
    • Trogoderma angustum
    • Trogoderma glabrum
    • Trogoderma granarium
    • Trogoderma inclusum

  • Bostrichidae (Auger beetles, powderpost beetles). 10 species 2-9mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Most species have pronotum covered in small bumps.
    • Bostrichus capucinus
    • Lyctus linearis
    • Rhyzopertha dominica

  • Ptinidae (Wood-borer beetles). 57 species 1-7mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    • Anitys rubens
    • Anobium punctatum
    • Dorcatoma chrysomelina
    • Dorcatoma substriata
    • Ernobius mollis
    • Hedobia imperialis
    • Anobium fulvicorne
    • Niptus hololeucus
    • Ochina ptinoides
    • Priobium carpini
    • Ptilinus pectinicornis
    • Ptinus sexpunctatus
    • Stegobium paniceum
    • Xestobium rufovillosum

  • Lymexylidae (Timberworm beetles). 2 species 7-18mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Very thin.
    • Hylecoetus dermestoides
    • Lymexylon navale

  • Phloiophilidae . 1 species 2-3mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    • Phloiophilus edwardsii

  • Trogossitidae . 5 species 5-11mm Tarsi: 4-4-4.
    • Nemozoma elongatum
    • Ostoma ferrugineum
    • Tenebroides mauritanicus
    • Thymalus limbatus

  • Cleridae (Chequered beetles). 15 species 6-16mm Tarsi: 4-4-4., Tarsi: 5-5-5. Lobed.
    Boldly coloured or shiny. Bristly hairs.
    • Korynetes caeruleus
    • Necrobia ruficollis
    • Necrobia rufipes
    • Necrobia violacea
    • Opilo mollis
    • Thanasimus femoralis
    • Thanasimus formicarius
    • Tilloidea unifasciata
    • Tillus elongatus
    • Trichodes alvearius
    • Trichodes apiarius

  • Dasytidae (Soft-winged flower beetles). 9 species 1-7mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    • Aplocnemus nigricornis
    • Dasytes cyaneus
    • Dasytes plumbeus
    • Dasytes niger
    • Dasytes plumbeus
    • Dolichosoma lineare
    • Aplocnemus impressus

  • Malachiidae (Soft-winged flower beetles). 17 species 2-8mm Tarsi: 5-5-5. Lobed or not.
    Soft wing-cases. Slender legs.
    • Anthocomus rufus
    • Anthocomus fasciatus
    • Axinotarsus marginalis
    • Axinotarsus pulicarius
    • Axinotarsus ruficollis
    • Cerapheles terminatus
    • Hypebaeus flavipes
    • Malachius aeneus
    • Malachius bipustulatus
    • Clanoptilus marginellus
    • Cordylepherus viridis

  • Sphindidae . 2 species 2-3mm Tarsi: 4-4-4.
    Tiny.
    • Aspidiphorus orbiculatus
    • Sphindus dubius

  • Kateretidae (Short-winged flower beetles). 9 species 1-3mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed or not.
    Tiny. Each wing-case rounded at the tip, slightly shorter than the abdomen.
    • Brachypterolus linariae
    • Brachypterus glaber
    • Kateretes pedicularius

  • Nitidulidae (Sap beetles, pollen beetles). 91 species 1-8mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed or not.
    Clubbed antennae. Most rather small, but the big black and orange Glischrochilus are an exception.
    • Amphotis marginata
    • Carpophilus marginellus
    • Carpophilus sexpustulatus
    • Carpophilus truncatus
    • Cryptarcha undata
    • Cychramus luteus
    • Epuraea aestiva
    • Epuraea distincta
    • Epuraea limbata
    • Epuraea marseuli
    • Glischrochilus hortensis
    • Glischrochilus quadripunctatus
    • Meligethes difficilis
    • Meligethes subrugosus
    • Nitidula bipunctata
    • Nitidula carnaria
    • Nitidula flavomaculata
    • Nitidula rufipes
    • Omosita discoidea
    • Pityophagus ferrugineus
    • Pocadius adustus
    • Soronia grisea

  • Monotomidae (Root-eating beetles). 24 species 1-5mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed or not.
    Narrow with rather straight sides. Clubbed antennae.
    • Monotoma bicolor
    • Monotoma brevicollis
    • Monotoma spinicollis
    • Monotoma testacea
    • Cyanostolus aeneus
    • Rhizophagus fenestralis
    • Rhizophagus picipes

  • Silvanidae (Flat bark beetles, flat grain beetles). 12 species 2-5mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed.
    • Ahasverus advena
    • Oryzaephilus surinamensis
    • Psammoecus bipunctatus
    • Silvanoprus fagi
    • Silvanus unidentatus

  • Cucujidae (Flat bark beetles). 2 species Tarsi: 4-4-3., Tarsi: 5-5-4., Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Very flattened.
    • Pediacus depressus
    • Pediacus dermestoides

  • Laemophloeidae (Lined flat bark beetles). 11 species 1-4mm Tarsi: 4-4-3., Tarsi: 5-5-4., Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    Tiny. Long antennae.
    • Cryptolestes duplicatus
    • Cryptolestes ferrugineus
    • Laemophloeus monilis
    • Leptophloeus clematidis

  • Phalacridae . 15 species 1-3mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed.
    Very shiny and smooth.
    • Olibrus aeneus
    • Phalacrus substriatus
    • Stilbus atomarius

  • Cryptophagidae (Silken fungus beetles). 105 species 1-11mm Tarsi: 4-4-4., Tarsi: 5-5-4., Tarsi: 5-5-5. Lobed or not.
    Tiny.
    • Antherophagus silaceus
    • Atomaria apicalis
    • Atomaria atra
    • Atomaria badia
    • Atomaria impressa
    • Atomaria lewisi
    • Atomaria mesomela
    • Atomaria pulchra
    • Atomaria punctithorax
    • Atomaria pusilla
    • Caenoscelis subdeplanata
    • Cryptophagus confusus
    • Cryptophagus distinguendus
    • Ephistemus globulus
    • Ephistemus reitteri
    • Hypocoprus latridioides
    • Micrambe abietis
    • Micrambe bimaculata
    • Micrambe ulicis
    • Ootypus globosus
    • Paramecosoma melanocephalum
    • Telmatophilus brevicollis
    • Telmatophilus schonherrii
    • Telmatophilus sparganii
    • Telmatophilus typhae

  • Erotylidae (Pleasing fungus beetles). 8 species 2-7mm Tarsi: 4-4-4., Tarsi: 5-5-5. Lobed.
    • Dacne bipustulata
    • Dacne rufifrons
    • Triplax aenea
    • Tritoma bipustulata

  • Byturidae (Fruitworm beetles). 2 species 3-5mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed.
    Long and rather straight-sided. Clubbed antennae.
    • Byturus ochraceus
    • Byturus tomentosus

  • Biphyllidae (False skin beetles). 2 species 2-4mm Tarsi: 5-5-5.
    • Biphyllus lunatus
    • Diplocoelus fagi

  • Bothrideridae . 5 species 2-5mm Tarsi: 4-4-4.

  • Cerylonidae . 5 species 1-3mm Tarsi: 3-3-3., Tarsi: 4-4-4.
    Flattened and shiny.
    • Cerylon fagi
    • Cerylon ferrugineum
    • Cerylon histeroides

  • Alexiidae . 1 species 1-2mm Tarsi: 4-4-4.
    Very round and hairy.
    • Sphaerosoma pilosum

  • Endomychidae (Handsome fungus beetles). 8 species 2-6mm Tarsi: 3-3-3., Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed or not.
    • Endomychus coccineus
    • Holoparamecus caularum
    • Lycoperdina bovistae
    • Lycoperdina succincta
    • Mycetaea subterranea

  • Coccinellidae (Ladybirds). 53 species 1-9mm Tarsi: 3-3-3. Lobed.
    Ladybirds. Clubbed antennae and mostly oval bodies.
    • Adalia bipunctata
    • Hippodamia variegata
    • Aphidecta obliterata
    • Coccinella magnifica
    • Scymnus schmidti
    • Scymnus nigrinus
    • Nephus redtenbacheri
    • Stethorus punctillum
    • Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata
    • Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata
    • Vibidia duodecimguttata

  • Corylophidae . 11 species 1mm Tarsi: 3-3-3., Tarsi: 4-4-4.
    Tiny. Head hidden under the pronotum.
    • Corylophus cassidoides
    • Orthoperus atomus
    • Orthoperus nigrescens
    • Sericoderus lateralis

  • Latridiidae (Minute brown scavenger beetles). 56 species 1-3mm Tarsi: 3-3-3.
    Tiny. Dimpled wing-cases.
    • Cartodere bifasciata
    • Cartodere nodifer
    • Cartodere constricta
    • Corticaria longicornis
    • Corticaria elongata
    • Corticaria fulva
    • Corticaria impressa
    • Corticarina truncatella
    • Dienerella clathrata
    • Dienerella ruficollis
    • Enicmus fungicola
    • Enicmus histrio
    • Enicmus rugosus
    • Enicmus testaceus
    • Enicmus transversus
    • Latridius minutus
    • Melanophthalma transversalis
    • Melanophthalma distinguenda
    • Melanophthalma suturalis
    • Migneauxia lederi
    • Stephostethus angusticollis
    • Stephostethus lardarius

  • Mycetophagidae (Hairy fungus beetles). 15 species 1-2mm Tarsi: 4-4-4.
    • Litargus balteatus
    • Mycetophagus fulvicollis
    • Mycetophagus multipunctatus
    • Mycetophagus piceus
    • Pseudotriphyllus suturalis
    • Triphyllus bicolor
    • Typhaea stercorea

  • Ciidae (Minute tree fungus beetles). 22 species 1-3mm Tarsi: 3-3-3., Tarsi: 4-4-4.
    Narrow and rather straight-sided. Can withdraw their legs into grooves on the underside.
    • Orthocis alni
    • Cis bidentatus
    • Cis fagi
    • Cis micans
    • Cis jacquemartii
    • Cis lineatocribratus
    • Cis punctulatus
    • Cis villosulus
    • Ennearthron cornutum
    • Octotemnus glabriculus
    • Ropalodontus perforatus
    • Strigocis bicornis

  • Tetratomidae (Polypore fungus beetles). 4 species 3-4mm Tarsi: 5-5-4.
    • Hallomenus binotatus
    • Tetratoma ancora
    • Tetratoma desmarestii
    • Tetratoma fungorum

  • Melandryidae (False darkling beetles). 17 species 3-15mm Tarsi: 4-4-4., Tarsi: 5-5-4. Lobed or not.
    • Abdera affinis
    • Abdera flexuosa
    • Anisoxya fuscula
    • Conopalpus testaceus
    • Hypulus quercinus
    • Melandrya barbata
    • Melandrya caraboides
    • Orchesia micans
    • Orchesia minor
    • Orchesia undulata
    • Osphya bipunctata
    • Xylita laevigata
    • Zilora ferruginea

  • Mordellidae (Tumbling flower beetles). 17 species 2-9mm Tarsi: 5-5-4.
    Distinctive pointed abdomens.
    • Mordella holomelaena
    • Mordellistena neuwaldeggiana
    • Mordellistena pseudopumila
    • Mordellistena variegata
    • Tomoxia bucephala
    • Variimorda villosa

  • Ripiphoridae (Wedge-shaped beetles). 1 species 10-12mm Tarsi: 5-5-4.
    A strange beetle that lives in wasp nests.
    • Metoecus paradoxus

  • Colydiidae (Cylindrical bark beetles, narrow timber beetles). 12 species 1-6mm Tarsi: 3-3-3., Tarsi: 4-4-4., Tarsi: 5-4-4.
    • Aulonium trisulcus
    • Bitoma crenata
    • Colydium elongatum
    • Endophloeus markovichianus
    • Orthocerus clavicornis
    • Synchita humeralis

  • Tenebrionidae (Darkling beetles). 47 species 2-25mm Tarsi: 5-5-4. Lobed or not.
    An assortment of very different looking beetles. The number of tarsal segments is unusual and shared with only a few other families.
    • Alphitobius diaperinus
    • Alphitophagus bifasciatus
    • Blaps lethifera
    • Blaps mortisaga
    • Bolitophagus reticulatus
    • Corticeus bicolor
    • Corticeus linearis
    • Corticeus unicolor
    • Crypticus quisquilius
    • Cteniopus sulphureus
    • Diaperis boleti
    • Eledona agricola
    • Gnatocerus cornutus
    • Gonodera luperus
    • Isomira murina
    • Lagria hirta
    • Melanimon tibialis
    • Opatrum sabulosum
    • Palorus ratzeburgii
    • Pentaphyllus testaceus
    • Phylan gibbus
    • Platydema violaceum
    • Prionychus ater
    • Pseudocistela ceramboides
    • Scaphidema metallicum
    • Tenebrio molitor
    • Tribolium confusum
    • Tribolium destructor
    • Uloma culinaris

  • Oedemeridae (False blister beetles). 10 species 5-17mm Tarsi: 5-5-4. Lobed.
    • Ischnomera caerulea
    • Ischnomera cyanea
    • Nacerdes melanura
    • Oedemera femoralis
    • Oedemera lurida
    • Oedemera virescens

  • Meloidae (Oil beetles). 11 species 7-32mm Tarsi: 5-5-4.
    Oil beetles. Most have short wing cases that do not meet along the middle (unlike the Staphylinidae).
    • Lytta vesicatoria
    • Meloe brevicollis
    • Meloe proscarabaeus
    • Meloe rugosus
    • Meloe violaceus

  • Mycteridae . 1 species

  • Pythidae . 1 species 9-15mm Tarsi: 5-5-4.
    • Pytho depressus

  • Pyrochroidae (Cardinal beetles). 3 species 9-17mm Tarsi: 5-5-4. Lobed.
    Cardinal beetles. Large and red, with comb antennae.
    • Pyrochroa coccinea
    • Pyrochroa serraticornis

  • Salpingidae . 11 species 2-4mm Tarsi: 5-5-4.
    • Lissodema denticolle
    • Rabocerus foveolatus
    • Salpingus planirostris
    • Salpingus ruficollis
    • Sphaeriestes reyi
    • Sphaeriestes castaneus
    • Vincenzellus ruficollis

  • Anthicidae (Ant-like flower beetles). 13 species 2-5mm Tarsi: 5-5-4. Lobed.
    Narrow necks and ant-like heads. Notoxus has a horn over the head.
    • Anthicus antherinus
    • Anthicus bimaculatus
    • Notoxus monoceros
    • Omonadus formicarius
    • Stricticomus tobias

  • Aderidae . 3 species 1-2mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Weakly lobed.
    Eyes notched.
    • Aderus populneus
    • Euglenes oculatus

  • Scraptiidae (False flower beetles). 17 species 2-5mm Tarsi: 4-4-4., Tarsi: 5-5-4. Lobed or not.
    Very long hind tarsi.
    • Anaspis frontalis
    • Anaspis rufilabris
    • Anaspis thoracica
    • Scraptia fuscula

  • Cerambycidae (Longhorn beetles). 69 species 2-30mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed.
    Longhorns. Antennae usually long. Eyes often, but not always, notched.
    • Agapanthia villosoviridescens
    • Alosterna tabacicolor
    • Anaglyptus mysticus
    • Anastrangalia sanguinolenta
    • Clytus arietis
    • Grammoptera ruficornis
    • Phymatodes testaceus
    • Pogonocherus fasciculatus
    • Pseudovadonia livida
    • Rutpela maculata
    • Stenurella melanura
    • Tetrops praeustus

  • Megalopodidae . 3 species 2-3mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed.
    • Zeugophora flavicollis
    • Zeugophora subspinosa
    • Zeugophora turneri

  • Orsodacnidae . 2 species 4-8mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed.
    • Orsodacne cerasi
    • Orsodacne cerasi

  • Chrysomelidae (Seed and leaf beetles). 286 species 1-18mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed.
    Includes the leaf beetles, flea beetles, seed beetles, tortoise beetles, and reed beetles. Many are metallic.
    • Bruchidius cisti
    • Bruchus atomarius
    • Bruchus loti
    • Chrysolina polita
    • Gastrophysa polygoni
    • Gastrophysa viridula
    • Phaedon armoraciae
    • Phratora vulgatissima
    • Timarcha goettingensis
    • Lilioceris lilii
    • Galerucella lineola
    • Lochmaea suturalis
    • Longitarsus tabidus
    • Luperus longicornis
    • Donacia semicuprea
    • Cassida hemisphaerica
    • Cassida murraea
    • Aphthona pallida
    • Chaetocnema concinna
    • Crepidodera aurea
    • Crioceris asparagi
    • Cryptocephalus biguttatus
    • Cryptocephalus bilineatus
    • Cryptocephalus frontalis
    • Cryptocephalus fulvus
    • Cryptocephalus hypochaeridis
    • Gonioctena decemnotata
    • Neocrepidodera ferruginea
    • Phyllotreta diademata
    • Phyllotreta nemorum
    • Psylliodes chrysocephala

  • Nemonychidae . 1 species 4mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed.
    An odd weevil from pines.
    • Cimberis attelaboides

  • Anthribidae (Fungus weevils). 9 species 2-10mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed.
    Rostrum short and broad. Antennae not elbowed.
    • Platystomos albinus
    • Anthribus fasciatus
    • Bruchela rufipes
    • Platyrhinus resinosus

  • Rhynchitidae (Tooth-nosed snout weevils). 19 species 2-8mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed.
    Black or metallic species. Antennae not elbowed.
    • Deporaus betulae
    • Involvulus caeruleus
    • Neocoenorrhinus germanicus

  • Attelabidae (Leaf-rolling weevils). 2 species 5-6mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed.
    Unusual weevils, our two species are distinctive.
    • Apoderus coryli
    • Attelabus nitens

  • Apionidae (Seed weevils). 90 species 1-4mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed.
    Typical weevil rostrum, but antennae not elbowed.
    • Apion frumentarium
    • Betulapion simile
    • Protapion apricans

  • Nanophyidae . 2 species 1-2mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed.
    • Nanophyes marmoratus

  • Dryophthoridae . 4 species 2-4mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed.
    Elbowed antennae.
    • Dryophthorus corticalis
    • Sitophilus granarius

  • Erirhinidae (Wetland weevils). 13 species 3-9mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed.
    • Notaris scirpi
    • Thryogenes festucae

  • Raymondionymidae . 1 species 2-3mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed.

  • Curculionidae (Weevils). 493 species 1-14mm Tarsi: 4-4-4. Lobed or not.
    Includes typical weevils with elbowed antennae and long rostrums. Also the broad-nosed weevils and the bark beetles (hardly any rostrum, head often hidden beneath the pronotum, antennae clubbed but not so obviously elbowed).
    • Ceutorhynchus pallidactylus
    • Rhinoncus castor
    • Cossonus linearis
    • Pentarthrum huttoni
    • Cionus hortulanus
    • Curculio glandium
    • Dorytomus dejeani
    • Isochnus foliorum
    • Mecinus pascuorum
    • Tychius picirostris
    • Otiorhynchus ovatus
    • Phyllobius argentatus
    • Polydrusus cervinus
    • Dryocoetes autographus
    • Ernoporus tiliae
    • Scolytus intricatus
    • Xyleborus dispar

  • Platypodidae . 2 species 5-8mm Tarsi: 5-5-4.
    • Platypus cylindrus