36 Common Beetles With Stripes (Pictures And Identification)

Beetles can have a major impact on crops. They can impact potatoes, eggplants, strawberries, and other types of plants and flowers.

Striped beetles are commonly seen on plants. Their stripes help keep their natural predators away while they chew through plant leaves, roots, and stems.

Not all stripes beetles are pests as some don’t cause considerable damage or may even cause no damage to plants at all. Some are only known to feed on nectar while others only feed on wild plants or flowers.

There are numerous species of striped beetles in North America. Most live in the Eastern states with a high percentage living in Southeaster US territories.

Here are some of the most common beetles that bear stripes native to North America and other regions of the world.

1. Ten-lined June Beetle

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Ten-lined June Beetles (Polyphylla decemlineata) have a total of 10 lines that inspire their name. Each wing has 5 lines, one of which is short.

These grubs have a brown head that also shows 3 stripes.

Ten-lined June Beetles are a major agricultural pest. They feed on watermelon leaves and roots.

A hissing sound is also produced by the beetle. This is achieved with the wings pushing out air.

Their hissing sound resembles the sounds bats make.

Beetles of this genus grow to an average size of 1.5 inches.

Ten-lined Jun Beetles are native to the United States and Canada.

2. Colorado Potato Beetle

Colorado Potato Beetle

Colorado Potato beetles (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) are also sometimes known as the Ten-lined beetles as they also have 10 stripes across the elytra, similar to the Ten-lined June beetle.

This species is believed to be native to Colorado and New Mexico but its presence is signaled throughout the Northern Hemisphere today.

Colorado Potato Beetles have yellow elytra with 10 black stripes.

These beetles are considered major pests on certain crops and the most important pest of potatoes.

They are among the most important pests of eggplant and tomato pest as well.

Beetles of this family feed on the foliage of potatoes and eggplant.

They can consume all leaves of a plant essentially killing it within days or weeks.

Exported from the US around the world, Colorado Potato beetles are mainly eliminated by insecticides.

3. False Potato Beetle

False Potato Beetle

The False Potato beetle (Leptinotarsa juncta) is one of the most common striped beetles to resemble Colorado Potato beetles.

False Potato beetles emerge in the spring, as soon as the weather gets warmer. 1 to 3 broods appear up to late summer depending on its region.

This species has a round shape with alternating black and white stripes across the elytra.

Black dots are seen across its head.

The False Potato beetle isn’t seen as a major potato pest even if it can lay eggs on potatoes, in a larger cluster than the Colorado Potato beetle.

This species has a native presence in North America.

It feeds on horsenettle and ground cherry among other plants.

4. Striped Cucumber Beetle

Striped Cucumber Beetle

The Striped Cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum) has a white body with black stripes.

It has a black and yellow cephalothorax. This species of beetle is one of the most damaging cucumber pests and agricultural pests in general.

As their name implies, Stripes Cucumber beetles eat the flowers and the fruits of cucumber. They also attack zucchini as other plants of a similar genus.

Striped Cucumber beetles may kill cucumbers and monitoring them at an early plant growth stage is key.

These beetles create the most damage in their early stages. It’s also when the cucumber plants need to be monitored daily as the beetles can quickly kill plants within days if left undisturbed.

Insecticides are used as preventive measures against these beetles.

5. Three-lined Potato Beetle

Three-lined Potato Beetle

This species of beetle (Lema daturaphila) is another common North American pest beetle.

Three-lined Potato beetles have alternating black, yellow, and white stripes.

Yellow is also the main color of the head with a black central dot.

The long antennae of the species are also black.

While its name suggests the Three-lined Potato beetle is mainly a pest of potatoes, it turns out the bug is only a minor potato pest.

Its major food preference lay elsewhere. Nightshades and tomatillos are the most important food sources for this beetle.

One of the biggest issues about the species is that they always appear in groups, mainly in June.

6. Pigweed Flea Beetle

Pigweed Flea Beetle

Pigweed Flea beetles (Disonycha glabrata) are among the most common striped beetles.

These red and black beetles have white stripes across the elytra which has a shiny black color. The head of the species is red with a black mark.

Beetles of this genus have black antennae and legs that have dual red and black coloring.

Pigweed Flea beetles are widespread in the US in areas where amaranth grows.

This plant is commonly known as pigweed as it’s traditionally used to feed pigs.

As a result, the beetle has been named after the plant it consumes the most which is used to feed animals such as pigs.

7. Cottonwood Leaf Beetle

Cottonwood Leaf Beetle

Cottonwood Leaf beetles (Chrysomela scripta) are another common species of striped beetles that are also pests.

These beetles emerge from under tree bark and they damage trees as a result.

Preferred host trees include poplar and aspen. Further references include aspen.

The Cottonwood Leaf beetle eats the leaves of these trees and this is why they are seen as a major pest.

The coloring of the species is mostly yellow or yellow-mustard.

The elytra of the species show interrupted black stripes.

Similar yellow base coloring with black marks is seen on its head. The antennae of the beetle are also black.

8. Diaprepes Root Weevil

Diaprepes Root Weevil

This species (Diaprepes abbreviatus) is known for having strong mandibles. It emerges from the soil and it even chews on the roots of various plants.

Their mandibles are used to also chew the leaves of typical plants.

The color of the species can be yellow or orange with black long and short stripes across the elytra.

Black is also the main color of the cephalothorax.

Its legs and antennae are also shiny blacks.

More than 200 species are affected by Diaprepes Root Weevils.

Some of the most commonly affected plants and vegetables include potatoes, citruses, sugarcane, and strawberry.

9. Analeptura lineola

Analeptura lineola

This species of beetle is native to Eastern US states. It has an elongated body with narrowing elytra towards the tips of the wings.

This species has a base yellow color with stripes and interrupted stripes that are either black or dark brown.

Its head is completely brown while its legs are red-brown.

Its long antennae have dual black and yellow coloring.

This species of beetle is not a common pest. It’s not seen on crops as it prefers to consume flower nectar as adults.

Purple and pink flowers are among its favorites.

10. Strangalepta Flower Longhorn Beetle

Strangalepta Flower Longhorn Beetle

The Strangalepta Flower Longhorn beetle (Strangalepta abbreviata) is a dual-color striped beetle native to North America.

Beetles of this genus live in woodlands, pine woodlands, and other hardwood forests.

The species has a black body with only 2 yellow-golden stripes.

The yellow stripes of the species are very wide to the extent that they cover a considerable extent of the elytra.

Black is the dominant color of the head, legs, and antennae of the species.

Strangalepta Flower Longhorn beetles are only considered a minor pest with minimum to no significant impact on their host species.

11. Striped Blister Beetle

Striped Blister Beetle

Striped Blister beetles (Epicauta vittata) are some of the largest beetles in the Eastern US areas.

The species has an elongated body that can grow up to 17mm.

Beetles of this genus have only 2 colors which may vary from one region to another.

The most common color combinations of the Striped Blister beetle are yellow and black.

Beetles of this genus have a yellow body with multiple longitudinal stripes.

Unlike other striped beetles, the Striped Blister Beetle also has a striped head.

Yellow coloring with black stripes is also specific to the head of the species.

Its legs and antennae are black.

Beetles of this genus are considered pests as they eat the leaves of various plants and vegetables.

12. Goldenrod Leaf Miner Beetle

Goldenrod Leaf Miner Beetle

Native to North America, the Goldenrod Leaf Miner beetle (Microrhopala vittata) is a striped species with only 2 colors.

Brown base color with black stripes is characteristic of the species.

Goldenrod Leaf Miner beetles also come in other colors depending on their region.

Black and red Goldenroad Leaf Miner beetles are also common alongside the brown and black morph.

These beetles aren’t a major pest as they lay eggs in small numbers. Clusters of 3-4 eggs are common for the species.

13. Alligatorweed Flea Beetle

Alligatorweed Flea Beetle

Alligatorweed Flea beetle (Agasicles hygrophila) is a species named after its host plant. Exclusively seen on alligator weed, this specie is a pest of the species.

Beetles consume the leaves of the plant until it dies.

The beetle is only found in Southeastern US states as it cannot survive cold winters.

It’s here that it’s found in high numbers on alligator weed.

You can identify this striped beetle by its black and yellow or black and green body.

It has a shiny black body with green or yellow stripes across the elytra.

The 4 yellow stripes visible on this species are joined towards the tip of its wings.

14. Locust Leaf-miner Beetle

Locust Leaf-miner Beetle

Locus Leaf-miner beetles (Odontota dorsalis) are some of the most tree-damaging beetles in North America.

This species is a common problem for black locusts, as its name implies. It also spread its damage to oak and even fruit-bearing trees such as apple trees.

You can identify the species by its mostly orange body.

A single wide central stripe is seen across the elytra of the species. These beetles are some of the smallest stripes species that feed on tree leaves.

The Locust Leaf-miner beetle overwinters under tree bark before emerging in the spring.

15. Disonycha leptolineata

Disonycha leptolineata

This species of striped beetle is native to the US. They also live in high numbers in Central America.

You might first confuse the species with the Colorado potato beetle due to its black stripes.

It has golden-yellow elytra with black stripes and orange margins.

Its head is also orange or orange-red as are its legs.

The antennae of the species are mostly black.

Texas and Louisiana are the states where this species is most common. It has a reduced presence in Florida.

16. Ragweed Leaf Beetle

Ragweed Leaf Beetle

This small beetle (Ophraella communal) only reaches a size of 3 to 4mm.

It’s identified by a yellow-brown color with multiple thin black stripes across the elytra.

Ragweed Leaf beetles have long black antennae.

This species is considered a pest. Its presence on crops is troublesome and difficult to eradicate without pesticides.

Ragweed Leaf beetles lay eggs on the underside of their host plants which makes them even more difficult to spot for predators.

The species is commonly seen on asters but also on sunflower crops.

Its black and yellow color also helps the species blend in with host plants that are also black and yellow, such as sunflowers.

17. Glorious Jewel Scarab

Glorious Jewel Scarab

The Glorious Jewel Scarab (Chrysina gloriosa) is a mostly green species. It has a green body and visible green stripes across the elytra.

This beetle also comes in other morphs, albeit rarely. A red Glorious Jewel Scarab also exists.

Beetles of this genus are found on juniper which explains their green coloring.

Only visible at high altitudes and in habitats across Texas and New Mexico, this species has a minor impact on juniper.

Its short season is what limits the possible impact on juniper.

Beetles of this genus emerge late in the season at the beginning of June. They are only active until mid-August.

18. Goldenrod Leaf Beetle

Goldenrod Leaf Beetle

Goldenrod Leaf beetles (Trirhabda canadensis) are born and live their entire lives on goldenrod.

Their preferred species include the Canadian goldenrod.

Living on a yellow plant, this beetle also has a yellow-golden color. It features black stripes.

Native to North America, the species has 3 brown stripes on the elytra. It also has a few black dots on its golden head. The antennae of the species are black.

Caterpillars of the species feed on goldenrod leaves. Adults also feed on goldenrod nectar.

You can identify its caterpillars by an all-black color.

This species is seen later in the season compared to the Glorious Jewel Scarab as it remains active until late September.

19. Coreopsis Beetle

Coreopsis Beetle

This type of beetle (Calligrapha californica) is seen in multiple sub-species across North America. Most of its subspecies feed on different types of weeds.

The damage of Coreopsis beetles to weeds is considerable as they defoliate various weds.

A pink morph with wide black stripes is common for the species. Its head is black with pink stripes.

This bug is also found in a brown morph with thin black stripes across its elytra and its head.

A brown and black morph is also common for the species.

Beetles of this genus evolve into striped bugs after being all-black as caterpillars.

The caterpillars of this genus also feed on the leaves of various weeds.

20. Double-banded Bycid

Double-banded Bycid

The Double-banded Bycid (Sphaenothecus bilineatus) has an atypical shape compared to other beetles with stripes.

It has a mainly black body and elytra with 2 bright stripes across its wings.

These stripes are white in the center with gray margins. Short white hairs also cover its elytra.

Black is the dominant color of the cephalothorax. The legs of the species are red with black.

Its antennae are the most interesting part. The antennae of the Double-banded Bycid are a few times longer than its body.

This makes the species stand out in its natural environment. Some believe its long antennae might also mimic the long stems it lives on all day.

21. Long-haired June Beetle

Polyphylla crinita
Long-haired June Beetle

Long-haired June beetles (Polyphylla crinita) are native to the US. Many of these beetles are seen around homes as they make their way inside from gardens.

Nocturnal by nature, the Long-haired June beetle is a species that’s attracted to light at night.

This species has many predators and mainly comes out at night to escape them. Spiders are one of the common predators of Long-haired June beetles.

This species also makes hissing sounds like other June beetles.

You can identify the species by its brown elytra with multiple white stripes.

Its head is red with yellow stripes. The legs of the species have the same red color as the head.

22. Lined Stenolophus

Lined Stenolophus

Native to North America, the Lined Stenolophus beetle (Stenolophus lineola) is one of the most common species that feed on corn.

This species is a known corn pest as it feeds on corn seeds.

Beetles of this genus are also carnivores and might eat small insects that live around corn fields.

These beetles are collected by hand on small crops.

Lined Stenolophus beetles are most prevalent in California.

These beetles appear early in the season. Their flight season begins in April and lasts until late August.

You can identify this species by its gray-brown color. It has 2 black stripes on the elytra.

23. Striped June Beetle

Polyphylla occidentalis
Striped June Beetle

Native to North America, the Striped June beetle (Polyphylla occidentalis) is active through the summer.

This is one of the larger striped beetles native to the US. It grows to a size of up to 26mm.

The species is further identified by its light coloring.

The light brown colors of the elytra are decorated with multiple white stripes. The head of the species is also light brown and it features a single white stripe.

The legs and antennae of the species are also brown.

Adults of this species live at high altitudes in pine woodlands. They feed on pines but aren’t considered a major pest for pines.

Beetles of this genus are attracted to light and they might seek out artificial lights at the edge of pine woodlands at night.

24. Pennsylvania Flea Beetle

Pennsylvania Flea Beetle

This species of beetle (Disonycha pensylvanica) is specific to Northeastern parts of the US. Its subspecies populate almost all Eastern states.

The beetle grows to a maximum size of 5-6mm being of similar dimensions to other striped species in the US.

It has a base black color with gold stripes on the elytra. These golden stripes are joined towards the tips of the wings.

The cephalothorax is black and brown and it lacks golden stripes but it features golden margins.

The very long antennae of the species are mostly black. Its antennae are as long as its body.

Pennsylvania Flea beetle is also seen in different colors in other parts of the US and Central America.

25. Western Striped Cucumber Beetle

Western Striped Cucumber Beetle

Western Striped Cucumber beetles (Acalymma trivittatum) are among the many species that feed on cucumbers.

The pest status of this species is severe because it feeds on cucumber plants all season, not just at the beginning of the season as with other beetles.

This small species grows to a maximum size of 0.5 inches. It feeds on cucumber flowers until it kills them.

It takes on yellow coloring specific to these flowers.

The Western Striped Cucumber beetle has a yellow body with black stripes. It also has a yellow and black head.

26. White-striped Tiger Beetle

White-striped Tiger Beetle

White-striped Tiger beetles (Cylindera lemniscata) are among the few metallic striped beetles native to North America.

The species has an elongated body, not a round body such as many other striped beetles such as Colorado potato beetles.

The red metallic color is specific to this species. It covers the head and the elytra.

White to yellow stripes are seen on its elytra. These stripes are located on the outer edges of the elytra.

The beetle has large dark red eyes. Its legs and antennae are also red.

27. Rabbitbrush Beetle

Rabbitbrush Beetle

Common in valleys and around hills, the Rabbitbrush beetle (Trirhabda nitidicollis) is a known pest of rubber rabbitbrush.

This medium-altitude flower is green and yellow. This coloring is somewhat taken on by the beetle itself.

It has a yellow color with black stripes.

Its elytra have a pale yellow color with 3 black stripes. These black stripes are joined towards the tip of the abdomen.

The head of the species is yellow and it has a few black dots as well.

The legs of the species are also yellow while its antennae are black.

The damage to the rubber rabbitbrush is typically limited unless there’s an outbreak of beetles.

28. Round-headed Apple Tree Borer

Round-headed Apple Tree Borer

Round-headed Apple Tree Borers (Saperda candida) are a common species of bringing striped beetles.

As their name implies, they can inflict problems on apple trees to the extent they kill them completely.

These beetles dig tunnels in trees, mainly at the base. The beetles prefer young trees which seem healthy up until the moment they die.

Beetles of this genus have light colors with wide white stripes. Its legs are white while its antennae are partially white and partially black.

You can find the species on other trees in certain areas of the US. This includes cherries and peaches.

29. Lewis’ Soldier Beetle

Chauliognathus lewisi
Lewis’ Soldier Beetle. Image by Katja Schulz via inaturalist

Lewi’s Soldier beetle (Chauliognathus lewisi) is a common pest of a wide range of yellow flowers such as sunflowers.

These beetles are very well adapted to living on these flowers with minimum disturbance from predator birds by their camouflage-like coloring.

They have a yellow color which covers most of the elytra. Wide black stripes are seen on the elytra.

Only 2 black stripes are visible on the wings. The head is also yellow with one large central black mark.

30. Ragweed Leaf Beetle

Ragweed Leaf Beetle

This round beetle (Zygogramma suturalis) has a dark brown color. It has a brown head and brown elytra.

Off-white stripes are seen across its elytra. 2 stripes are seen on the inner parts of the elytra while the other 2 stripes are found on the other sides of the elytra.

This species consumes the common ragweed exclusively.

This makes it one of the beneficial striped beetles. It has been exported to China, mainly to control ragweed without pesticides.

These beetles establish themselves in an area without leaving as they overwinter in the ground regardless of cold winter temperatures in temperate climates.

Ragweed Leaf beetles only emerge from the soil in late April.

31. Western Corn Rootworm Beetle

Western Corn Rootworm Beetle

Western Corn Rootworm beetles (Diabrotica virgifera) are a known pest of maize.

Native to North America, the Western Corn Rootworm beetle has expanded to Europe.

This species is only found on maize crops where it creates considerable damage.

It takes on the color of its host plant like many other striped beetles.

This is why the Western Corn Rootworm beetle is yellow and black.

It has a mustard-yellow elytra color with black stripes. Its cephalothorax is black and yellow as well.

The legs and antennae of the species are black.

One of the reasons this species is so dangerous to maize comes with the feeding habits of the Western Corn Rootworm beetle larvae.

These larvae eat maize roots essentially stunting plant growth without even being seen.

32. Red-margined Blister Beetle

Pyrota tenuicostatis
Red-margined Blister Beetle. Image by Michelle via inaturalist

The Red-margined Blister beetle (Pyrota tenuicostatis) is found in Southern Texas. Its presence is also confirmed in Texas. This species also lives in Central America.

It gets its name from its red-brown color.

The elytra of the Red-margined Blister beetle has black stripes. The same brown and dark coloring is further seen on its head.

There are 2 small black dots on its upper elytra. Similar black dots are seen on its head.

Black is the dominant color of the legs.

Beetles of this genus appear in May and they remain active until July.

33. Two-lined Chestnut Borer

Two-lined Chestnut Borer

Two-lined Chestnut Borers (Agrilus bilineatus) are some of the most common pests of oaks. These beetles lay larvae inside the tree which eventually kills them.

The larvae of the Two-lined Chestnut borers create galleries inside tree trunks which weaken their structural integrity.

Only oaks affected by drought or oaks that have already been weakened by other insects consuming their leaves are chosen by the Two-lined Chestnut borer.

Its range is considerable through Northern US as well as through Canada’s oak woodlands.

The adult Two-lined Chestnut borer has a mainly black color with 2 bright stripes on its elytra.

The species has a black head, black wings, black legs, and black antennae.

White is the dominant color of the Two-lined Chestnut Borer.

Some common measures against these beetles include watering oak trees in long drought periods. These trees are also protected with chemicals against other insects.

The damage of other insects prompts Two-lines Chestnut borer invasions.

34. Dogwood Twig Borer

Dogwood Twig Borer

Dogwood Twig Borers (Oberea tripunctata) are dual-color beetles seen as minor pests of various species.

These beetles have a base black color with faded golden yellow stripes across the elytra.

The head is also golden-yellow with black sections and 2 black dots.

Its legs are yellow while its antennae are also golden-yellow.

As its name implies, the Dogwood Twig borer impacts dogwood. It also eats blueberries and a wide range of decorative tree leaves.

35. Yerba Santa Beetle

Trirhabda eriodictyonis
Yerba Santa Beetle. Image by Erin Lalime via inaturalist

Common in California, the Yerba Sante beetle (Trirhabda eriodictyonis) is a major yerba santa pest.

The damages inflicted by this striped beetle are considerable.

Most beetles of this genus can consume all leaves of yerba santa within weeks.

You can identify the species by its black-yellow color.

These beetles are identified by their yellow bodies with 3 black stripes on the elytra. The black stripes are joined at the tip of the wings.

The head of these beetles is mostly yellow with black spots.

36. Lined Buprestid Beetle

Lined Buprestid Beetle

Lined Buprestid beetles (Buprestis lineata) grow to an average size of 11mm.

These beetles have yellow or red elytra with 5 black stripes. The central stripes on the elytra are wider.

A golden-yellow color of the species is dominant while the red and black morph is rare.

The metallic color is characteristic of this species, as to most other Buprestid beetles.