Yellow beetles with black spots are a familiar sight across North America, with each species distinguished by unique patterns and behaviors.
As adults, the majority of yellow beetles with black spots are harmless and feed mostly on plants. However, some species found in the United States are only able to eat particular kinds of plants or vegetables, like squash, cucumbers, and anacahuita shrubs.
Though they are rarely pests, beetles with black and yellow colors can occasionally make their way inside. Different strategies can be used to successfully eradicate them, depending on the species.
Different Types of Yellow Beetles with Black Spots
Texas Soldier Beetle
The Texas Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus scutellaris) is native to North America and distinguished by its long yellow elytra adorned with four black spots. Predators avoid this species due to its vibrant yellow coloring. It features long, thin black legs and antennae. Found primarily in Texas, its presence is limited in other Southern states. Texas Soldier Beetles primarily feed on flower nectar, contributing to pollination efforts in their habitat.
Mesquite Borer
Mesquite borers (Placosternus difficilis) are commonly found on mesquite trees and are abundant in southern US regions, notably Texas. While rare in Arizona and New Mexico, these beetles lay eggs directly in mesquite trees, their larvae consuming the wood. Despite their presence, their impact on mesquite trees is limited as they move to feed on nectar after pupation. Mesquite trees hold historical significance in the US, with their lumber historically used for shipbuilding.
Typocerus Octonotatus
Typocerus octonotatus beetles exhibit a yellow-orange body with black markings. They are pollen and nectar feeders, often adopting the colors of their preferred yellow and orange flowers. Their predominantly yellow body with black spots provides effective camouflage while foraging on flower buds. Distinguishing features include their very long antennae, characteristic of the Longhorn genus. These beetles are adept at blending with their floral environments, relying on their antennae for sensory perception and navigation.
Trypherus Frisoni
Trypherus frisoni beetles grow to a minimum size of ¼ inch, resembling black wasps with a mostly black body. They feature minimal yellow coloring, initially hard to discern on young beetles. Two distinct yellow stripes adorn their bodies, complemented by black antennae and red-brown legs. Found in northern states like Ohio, they contrast with other black and yellow beetles more common in Texas, Arizona, and California. This species thrives in diverse habitats, utilizing its distinctive markings for camouflage and identification.
Notched-Tipped Flower Longhorn Beetle
The Notched-tipped Flower Longhorn Beetle (Typocerus sinuatus), with its yellow and black coloring, mimics bees and is often mistaken for one due to its appearance. Like all longhorn beetles, it has long antennae. These beetles feed on nectar and pollen, particularly garden and park flowers. They are identifiable by six black spots on their elytra. Notched-tipped Flower Longhorn Beetles are active from spring through early fall, contributing to pollination efforts in their habitats.
Sunburst Diving Beetle
The Sunburst Diving Beetle (Thermonectus marmoratus) is an aquatic black and yellow beetle resembling water bugs in its flattened oval shape. Its black body is adorned with yellow and white dots, along with bright yellow lateral stripes. Native to California and Baja California, it thrives in water habitats, where it preys on various water insects, including mosquitoes and their eggs. Known for its swimming ability and keen vision, this beetle plays a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems, particularly during its larval stage when it feeds on insect eggs and other water creatures.
Iron Cross Blister Beetle
The Iron Cross Blister Beetle (Tegrodera aloga) sports a black body adorned with yellow mesh-like patterns on its elytra. Thriving in arid and desert environments, this species is medically significant due to its production of cantharidin, a toxin lethal to certain livestock and potentially harmful to humans through ingestion or contact, causing severe skin blisters. Interestingly, cantharidin from blister beetles like these is also utilized in medical procedures, including tattoo removal, and is under research for potential therapeutic applications in cancer treatment.
Cryptocephalus Leucomelas
Cryptocephalus leucomelas is a prevalent yellow beetle with black spots found in northern states. Recognizable by its yellow elytra with two brown-black bands and four smaller spots, its body features yellow and brown or black stripes, complemented by brown legs and antennae. Primarily herbivorous in adulthood, it feeds on various plant tissues, notably leaves. Its distinctive long antennae set it apart from other leaf-eating insects, aiding in its identification in natural habitats and agricultural settings.
Eudiagogus Rosenschoeldi
Eudiagogus rosenschoeldi is a beetle characterized by its elongated snout, exclusively feeding on plants and roots from the pea family (Fabaceae). Identified by bark-like coloring patterns—gray and dark gray, orange and black, or black and yellow—these true weevils feature a robust, wide body, a small head, and an elongated snout. They possess short, thick legs suitable for burrowing deep into the ground in search of pea roots, distinguishing them as specialized herbivores within their ecological niche.
Wild Olive Tortoise Beetle
Wild Olive Tortoise Beetles (Physonota alutacea) derive their name from their flattened body, which resembles a turtle’s oval shape. Adults display a blend of yellow, black, and olive hues, while larvae sport striking black and yellow stripes. Common in southern Texas, Mexico, and Central America, they feed on Anacahuita flowers rather than olives. These shrubbery blooms thrive in warm Southern US climates and are prevalent further south into Mexico, defining the beetle’s habitat and feeding preferences.
Lewis’ Soldier Beetle
Lewi’s Soldier beetles (Chauliognathus lewisi) sport a distinctive black and yellow coloration, with elongated bodies and black wings edged in yellow. Their heads also feature yellow and black markings. Active as larvae feeding on insects, they transition to consuming pollen and nectar from various yellow flowers as adults. This coloration aids in camouflage among the yellow flower buds they frequent, ensuring they can efficiently feed while minimizing detection by predators.
Redbud Borer
The Redbud Borer (Ptosima gibbicollis) is a metallic woodboring beetle characterized by glossy black and yellow coloring. Its ovoid body primarily features black, accentuated by four distinct yellow spots. With a dark black head devoid of bright or yellow markings, this species specializes in nesting within recently deceased wood. As a woodborer, it plays a crucial role in the decomposition process of trees, utilizing suitable wood habitats to establish nests and complete their life cycle.
Rabbitbrush Beetle
The rabbitbrush beetle (Trirhabda nitidicollis), found across Western US regions, displays distinct black and yellow stripes on its pale yellow elytra. Its head features a darker yellow hue. Beneficial in areas where aster species like rabbitbrush hinder plant growth, these beetles help control such weeds, benefiting crops and native plants. Despite their benefits, managing their populations is advised, as they can also feed on other plants.
Strophiona Tigrina
Strophiona tigrina beetles display vivid black and yellow contrast in their coloring, with a black base and irregular yellow patterns on the elytra. They mimic wasps due to their coloration, despite being flightless and feeding on pollen and nectar from various wildflowers, especially white blooms. These beetles are often mistaken for wasps, but they lack the ability to fly. Their natural predators include parasitoid wasps, which help regulate their populations in the ecosystems where they are found.
Acmaeodera Amplicollis
Acmaeodera amplicollis beetles are characterized by their black and yellow coloration, blending seamlessly with the plants they feed on in North America, such as desert marigolds and crownbeards. They have a wide black body with irregular orange marks and stripes on their elytra. Their wings feature small perforations, enhancing their camouflage among yellow flower buds. This species is adapted to mimicry, utilizing its coloration and wing features to blend into its floral habitat effectively.
Banded Ash Borer
Banded Ash Borers (Neoclytus caprea) are yellow beetles with black spots that bore into the sap of ash trees, especially dead ones. They are commonly found in stored ash logs during the winter. Although they primarily target ash wood, they also infest elm and white oak. Recognizable by their uniform black body with yellow stripes on the elytra, these beetles lay eggs under the bark of dead ash trees without harming live trees. Their underbelly features alternate black and yellow stripes, resembling wasps.
Western Corn Rootworm Beetle
Western Corn Rootworm Beetles (Diabrotica virgifera) pose a significant threat to corn crops in Western states. Adults feed on corn leaves and kernels, causing minimal damage. However, it’s the larvae that wreak havoc by feeding on corn roots, stunting growth, and potentially killing the plants. Farmers often resort to insecticides to control these black and yellow pests. Additionally, crop rotation helps disrupt their life cycle as the eggs overwinter in the soil, hatching in spring to target young corn roots anew.
Spruce Zebra Beetle
The Spruce Zebra beetle (Xylotrechus undulatus) thrives in North American woodlands, particularly on spruce and conifers at higher altitudes. Unlike other black and yellow beetles, they do not require direct sunlight. These beetles feed on the trees and lay eggs in conifer bark. They are identified by their black bodies with yellow stripes behind the head and across the elytra. Their presence indicates healthy coniferous ecosystems in forested regions.
Arizona Net-Winged Beetle
The Arizona Net-winged beetle (Lycus arizonensis) is a distinctive net-winged beetle found in the southwestern United States. It has a triangular body with large yellow-orange wings and a black head. These beetles often resemble flowers they visit, with vivid coloring that aids in camouflage. While some feed on nectar, many adults do not feed at all, living short lives. They prefer open areas abundant with flowers, typical of their native Southwestern habitats.
Festive Diabrotica
The Festive Diabrotica beetle (Diabrotica adelpha), common in Texas, features a yellow-dominant body with black markings on its elytra and a distinctive red head. Growing up to 7.4 mm, these beetles emerge in May and are exclusive to Texas and southern Mexico. They are known for their vibrant appearance and are often found in agricultural settings, where they can impact crops during their feeding stages.
Acmaeodera Alicia
Acmaeodera alicia, found in Southwestern US states, displays black and yellow coloring and feeds on small green leaves like those of the aster family. Their ovoid shape features a black body with yellow marks and stripes. Larvae consume various parts of acacia plants. Some beetles also feed on cactus pollen or nectar. Their natural habitat spans from California to Arizona, where they play a role in pollination and plant interactions.
Acmaeodera Solitaria
Acmaeodera solitaria, found in southwestern US states, features a black body with distinct yellow stripes. Its elongated form is marked by interrupted yellow stripes on the elytra. More prevalent in Central America than North America, this beetle lays eggs in freshly dead hardwood, contributing to the decomposition process in forest ecosystems.
Typocerus Lunulatus
Typocerus lunulatus, black and yellow beetles ranging from 8 to 12 mm, display wide orange bands on their elytra. Their larvae exhibit an unusual diet, consuming decaying pine, contributing minimally to natural recycling processes. As adults, they shift to feeding on pollen and nectar. High populations of Typocerus lunulatus are found in states like California, Texas, and Florida, where their distinctive coloration helps them blend into various habitats rich in pine and other flowering plants.
Globemallow Leaf Beetle
Globemallow leaf beetles (Calligrapha serpentina) are prevalent in California and Texas, feeding exclusively on globemallow plants. They exhibit various morphs, all featuring black base coloring with different colored stripes and marks—commonly yellow, green, orange, or red. Larvae transition in color from red to red-brown as they mature. Despite variations in color, all morphs maintain consistent stripe and mark patterns, distinguishing them as Globemallow Leaf beetles across their habitat range.
Systena Gracilenta
Systena gracilenta beetles are native to the Southern US and Northern Mexico and are often found on Baccharis shrubs of the Aster family. Identified by the vertical pale yellow and black stripes on their elytra, they sport an orange-brown head. Common along Texas’ Devil’s River, they are active from May to August, contributing to the local ecosystem by feeding on Baccharis shrubs, aiding in their control and management.
Amorpha Borer
The Amorpha Borer (Megacyllene decora), found in North America where Indigo-bush plants grow, displays a striped black and yellow body. Active from June to October, it features yellow stripes on a predominantly black body, with variations in stripe width. Seen on Desert False Indigo and other yellow and white flowers, this borer contributes to ecosystem balance by feeding on various plants, including goldenrods, aiding in pollination and plant diversity.
Yerba Santa Beetle
The Yerba Santa Beetle (Trirhabda eriodictyonis) is recognizable by its black and yellow striped body and yellow head with four black spots. Its pale yellow color differs from that of other vividly colored species. Herbivorous larvae appear metallic green, distinct from adults. Found on Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon crassifolium) in California and Baja California, this beetle prefers dry slopes with the plant’s broad leaves and flower buds, where it feeds and completes its life cycle.
Spotted Cucumber Beetle
Spotted cucumber beetles (Diabrotica undecimpunctata) are prevalent black and yellow beetles in North America, known for damaging cucumber plants. Identifiable by their 12 black spots on yellow or yellow-green elytra, they blend with cucumber leaves. These pests feed on cucumber foliage, often killing the plant. Resilient, they can overwinter in the soil, emerging the next year to continue their life cycle.
Locust Borer
Locust Borers (Megacyllene robiniae) are black and yellow beetles resembling bees. They have a black body with W-shaped yellow marks on their elytra. These beetles can grow up to 28 mm, with antennae up to one-third of their body length. Males have longer antennae than females, whose antennae are 1.5 times their body length. They often inhabit goldenrods, matching the plant’s colors.
Eastern Hercules Beetle
The Eastern Hercules Beetles (Dynastes tityus) are among the largest yellow beetles with black spots in the US, reaching up to 7 inches in length. They have yellow elytra with black spots and can also be green and black. These beetles feed on rotting materials like fruit and wood. They are most commonly seen in the summer when females lay eggs in the ground. Their feces can measure up to 4 inches.
Ornate Checkered Beetle
Ornate Checkered Beetles (Trichodes ornatus) feature black and yellow coloring, with yellow stripes on their black elytra and short yellow hairs on their black legs. They often resemble the yellow flowers they visit for pollen, like yarrow. Males reach up to 11 mm, while females grow up to 15 mm. Their larvae are parasitic, feeding on bees by laying eggs near them.
Fourteen-Spotted Lady Beetle
The fourteen-spotted lady beetle (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata) has a distinctive black and yellow dome-shaped body with alternating black and yellow spots on the elytra and head. Despite its friendly appearance, it is a predatory species that is highly effective at controlling aphid populations. These beetles are used commercially against wheat aphids, as both adult males and females consume these pests, benefiting crops, gardens, and greenhouses.
Delta Flower Scarab
The Delta Flower Scarab (Trigonopeltastes delta) is a yellow beetle with black spots that mimics wasps with a distinct delta-shaped yellow mark. Its pronotum is black and yellow, while the rectangular elytra are mostly brown or orange-brown. Unique for its rectangular elytra, this beetle feeds on nectar and is native to the US, predominantly found in the Eastern regions.
Striped Cucumber Beetle
Striped cucumber beetles (Acalymma vittatum) have alternating black and yellow stripes on their body and head. These beetles pose a significant threat to cucumber crops by consuming the foliage, causing leaves to lose vigor and shape. Attracted to the smell of cucumbers, they often infest new crops. The most effective control method for striped cucumber beetles is the use of pesticides.
Colorado Potato Beetle
Colorado Potato Beetles (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) are invasive beetles with pale yellow and black striped elytra, growing up to 11 mm. Native to the US, they are commonly found on buffalo-bur and are notorious pests of potatoes worldwide. Due to their rapid multiplication, pesticides are often necessary for control. These beetles do not bite and can be hand-picked on small potato plantations.
Three-Lined Potato Beetle
Three-lined potato beetles (Lema daturaphila) feature yellow, black, and white stripes with black antennae. Mainly affecting tomatillos, they also consume tomatoes and potatoes. These beetles grow up to 8 mm and are challenging to control by hand. As with many invasive species, effective control of three-lined potato beetles typically requires the use of pesticides.
Mottled Tortoise Beetle
The Mottled Tortoise Beetle (Deloyala guttata) is a yellow beetle with black spots known for its color-changing ability. It starts with yellow coloring that turns golden-yellow as it matures. Common throughout North America in various species and subspecies, these beetles are abundant but not considered pests.
Elm Leaf Beetle
Elm Leaf Beetles (Xanthogaleruca luteola) are recognizable by their yellow pronotum and green-and-black elytra. They are significant pests of elm trees, causing considerable infestation levels. Initial signs of their presence include holes in elm leaves, leading to skeletonization where only the leaf veins remain. Native to North America, they thrive without natural predators. While they are also found in Europe and Australia, their damage in Europe is mitigated by predatory wasps.
Zebra Longhorn Beetle
The Zebra Longhorn Beetle (Typocerus zebra) reaches a size of 16 mm and features distinctive black and yellow coloring. Its mostly black elytra display yellow triangles, bands, and stripes. This beetle is characterized by very long black antennae, up to half the length of its body, and legs that are either red or brown. Named for its alternating black and yellow elytra, this species is believed to mimic wasps as a form of defense against predators.
Squash Lady Beetle
The Squash Lady Beetle (Epilachna borealis) resembles typical ladybugs with its black and yellow elytra. It primarily features yellow coloring with scattered black spots. This beetle is a pest commonly found on plants resembling cucumbers, particularly squash plants in the US. Hand removal is effective for controlling them in home gardens, while commercial growers often resort to pesticides to manage infestations on squash crops.
Yellow-Horned Flower Longhorn Beetle
The Yellow-horned Flower Longhorn Beetle (Strangalia luteicornis) is characterized by its black and dark yellow coloration. Found across the US, it plays a minor role as a pollinator. Both males and females are commonly sighted on swamp root flowers, where they feed on nectar, live, and mate. These beetles are attracted to the white flowers of Swamp root but do not change their color to match their host plant—a distinctive trait among black and yellow beetles.
Bean Leaf Beetle
The Bean Leaf Beetle (Cerotoma trifurcata) is predominantly yellow with a yellow-black head and a few black spots on its elytra. In some regions, it may appear orange. This beetle is notorious for damaging various plants and vegetables, particularly beans. It feeds on bean leaves and lays eggs in bean and soybean seeds, posing a significant threat to crop yield. Due to the challenges of manual control, pesticides are commonly employed to manage bean leaf beetle populations.
Alligatorweed Flea Beetle
The alligatorweed flea beetle (Agasicles hygrophila) is a beneficial black and yellow beetle known for controlling the invasive alligatorweed. Recognizable by their striped bodies with alternating vertical black and yellow stripes, these beetles consume the leaves of alligatorweed plants. Found predominantly in the Southeastern US, their larvae are often observed on various plant leaves. After pupation, most beetles develop a yellow-black coloration, with some turning green-black. Adults are relatively small, reaching a maximum size of 7 mm.
Harlequin Flower Beetle
The Harlequin Flower Beetle (Gymnetis thula) can reach sizes up to 21 mm and is found in select territories across the Eastern United States. Males typically display a dominant black coloration, while females are predominantly yellow. These beetles primarily feed on plant sap and have adapted to drink leaking sap from tree trunks, often spending entire days consuming it. They are commonly observed on oak trees and are attracted to False willows as well.
Round-Necked Longhorn Beetle
The Round-necked Longhorn Beetle (Clytus ruricola) features a black body with red legs and elytra marked with yellow lines and dots. Like other longhorn beetles, it possesses exceptionally long antennae that aid in navigation and sensing vibrations. Belonging to the Longhorn beetle family, it is occasionally mistaken for other beetle species due to its additional pair of legs. The antennae of this beetle can be longer than its body, distinguishing it further among similar-looking insects.
Painted Hickory Borer
The Painted Hickory Borer (Megacyllene caryae) is a striking black and yellow beetle commonly found in Texas. Known for its vivid coloring, it features a dominant black body with distinct stripes running from head to elytra. These beetles serve as indicators of newly-dead hickory trees, as their larvae feed exclusively on dead hickory wood. Unlike other tree-specific borers, they consume a variety of dead hardwood. Adults typically reach sizes between 10 and 20 mm and emerge as early as March.
Judolia Cordifera
Judolia cordifera beetles are characterized by their black and yellow coloration, exclusive to this genus. Found in scattered locations across Eastern North America, their range is declining. Both larvae and adults feed on vegetation without being parasitic. Larvae specifically target chestnuts, while adults consume flower nectar. Despite their limited current threat level, their potential to become problematic in the future is heightened due to the endangered status of the American Chestnut, a favored food source for their larvae.
