Bugs and beetles are so commonly mistaken for each other, and one might think it a matter of little consequence, but the record must be set straight in the name of science! We can’t have our children blithely thinking beetles are bugs and vice versa, now can we? When it comes to beetles and bugs, the similarities abound, but the differences are in the details. Below are the main characteristics that distinguish beetles from true bugs. When it comes to identifying them in the wild, you may notice that not all these aspects are immediately apparent, which is why there are several ways to differentiate the two. Look for all the clues when deciding, beetle vs bug!
Beetles (Coleoptera)
- Chewing mouthparts that consume a wide range of plant and animal material
- Two layers of wings: top wings, called elytra, are hardened into a protective structure for the hindwings, which are membranous and fold beneath the elytra when not in use
- Undergoes complete metamorphosis, which is comprised of four stages: embryo, larva, pupa, and adult
- Wing covers always meet in a straight line down the middle of the insect’s back when closed
True Bugs (Hemiptera)
- Piercing mouthparts that ingest a pure liquid diet, both from plant and animal sources, which folds back between its legs
- If wings are present, they are membranous and partially thickened, sometimes with another pair of hindwings
- Undergoes incomplete metamorphosis, in which the juvenile is simply a smaller version of the adult, without wings if it is a winged insect
- The wings of the true bug cross over on the insect’s back in a cross-hatch or diamond pattern
Related article: Bugs To Beware Of in the Outdoors
Featured Image from Weronika Romanowska/Unsplash
