Beetle Coloring Pages (Free PDF Printables)

By: Papaya Ink Team · Last updated: October 19, 2026

Beetles are the most successful body plan in the animal kingdom. About 400,000 species have been described so far, close to one in four of all known animals, and they live everywhere from rainforest canopies to backyard compost heaps. Their secret is armor: the front pair of wings has hardened into a shell, the elytra, which closes over the delicate flying wings like a case. The scientific name of the whole group, Coleoptera, simply means sheathed wings. Every drawing here is a real species with its common name lettered on the sheet – horned rhinoceros and Hercules beetles, stag beetles with antler-like jaws, and ladybugs, which are beetles too.

Click any picture and the printable PDF opens in a new tab, ready to print or save. Each sheet is sized for US Letter and prints cleanly on A4. The line work is detailed enough to hold an adult's attention for an evening – bark texture, leaf veins, segmented legs – while the large shells leave plenty of open space for bold color.

A little real-world observation makes these pages come alive. Most beetle shells are glossy, so leave a narrow white streak where light would strike the wing covers, and the shell will read as hard and polished instead of flat. Metallic species shine when two or three colors are layered over each other – green over blue, copper over gold – rather than filled in with a single pencil. On ladybugs, color the spots last with a sharp black pencil so the edges stay crisp, and check a photo of the real species first: plenty of ladybugs are yellow, pink or gray, not red.

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Beetle Coloring Pages - Among the longest beetles alive, a big male Hercules can stretch close to seven inches, and much of that is horn. The olive wing covers turn almost black when the air gets humid. Detailed - spotted shell and rough bark. — Among the longest beetles alive, a big male Hercules can stretch close to seven inches, and much of that is horn. The olive wing covers turn almost black when the air gets humid. Detailed – spotted shell and rough bark.

Beetle Coloring Pages - The classic: red shell, seven black spots, one of them split across the seam where the wing covers meet. A single adult can eat dozens of aphids a day, so gardeners are always glad to see it. Leave small white patches beside the head. — The classic: red shell, seven black spots, one of them split across the seam where the wing covers meet. A single adult can eat dozens of aphids a day, so gardeners are always glad to see it. Leave small white patches beside the head.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Kids across the eastern states call it a pinching bug. The reddish-brown stag beetle grows up inside decaying oak, which explains the oak leaf beside it. Warm brown wing covers, with orange tones on the upper legs. — Kids across the eastern states call it a pinching bug. The reddish-brown stag beetle grows up inside decaying oak, which explains the oak leaf beside it. Warm brown wing covers, with orange tones on the upper legs.

Beetle Coloring Pages - One of the heaviest beetles in the eastern United States spends a year or more as a grub inside a rotting log before it ever reaches the open air. Pale greenish-tan wing covers carry dark blotches, each one a little different. Detailed. — One of the heaviest beetles in the eastern United States spends a year or more as a grub inside a rotting log before it ever reaches the open air. Pale greenish-tan wing covers carry dark blotches, each one a little different. Detailed.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Two short white lines on the black collar slant toward each other, which is how the convergent ladybug got its name. Each winter these beetles crowd together by the millions in Western mountains. Orange-red shell, black spots, white dashes left blank. — Two short white lines on the black collar slant toward each other, which is how the convergent ladybug got its name. Each winter these beetles crowd together by the millions in Western mountains. Orange-red shell, black spots, white dashes left blank.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Despite the alarming name, nobody got hurt: the twice-stabbed ladybug is simply black with two red spots. It patrols trees for scale insects across North America. Cherry red for the spots, and a white gleam on the dome. — Despite the alarming name, nobody got hurt: the twice-stabbed ladybug is simply black with two red spots. It patrols trees for scale insects across North America. Cherry red for the spots, and a white gleam on the dome.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Squarish black spots that touch and merge turn this little yellow ladybug into a walking checkerboard. Originally European, it has settled across much of North America. Lemon yellow first, then fill the blocks in black. — Squarish black spots that touch and merge turn this little yellow ladybug into a walking checkerboard. Originally European, it has settled across much of North America. Lemon yellow first, then fill the blocks in black.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Mildew is the menu for this bright yellow European ladybug; it grazes the white fungus off leaves and ignores aphids completely. Twenty-two black spots on yellow, with the collar spotted to match. — Mildew is the menu for this bright yellow European ladybug; it grazes the white fungus off leaves and ignores aphids completely. Twenty-two black spots on yellow, with the collar spotted to match.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Pink, oval and slightly stretched, this ladybug eats pollen as happily as aphids, which keeps it busy in cornfields. Twelve black spots, six per side, dot a rosy back, and two black triangles mark the collar. — Pink, oval and slightly stretched, this ladybug eats pollen as happily as aphids, which keeps it busy in cornfields. Twelve black spots, six per side, dot a rosy back, and two black triangles mark the collar.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Not every ladybug is red. This North American species wears pale ash gray with neat black spots, and the same species also comes in a black form with two red dots. A soft gray pencil and a hard black one cover it. — Not every ladybug is red. This North American species wears pale ash gray with neat black spots, and the same species also comes in a black form with two red dots. A soft gray pencil and a hard black one cover it.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Those huge jaws are for wrestling other males, not for eating; the adult lives mostly on sap and fruit juice. The giant stag beetle turns up east of the Great Plains on summer nights, often near a porch light. Mahogany body, black legs. — Those huge jaws are for wrestling other males, not for eating; the adult lives mostly on sap and fruit juice. The giant stag beetle turns up east of the Great Plains on summer nights, often near a porch light. Mahogany body, black legs.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Green, copper, red and violet all flash across a single rainbow stag beetle from the rainforests of Queensland. Blend the colors into each other instead of drawing stripes, and save a white streak for the gloss. Detailed. — Green, copper, red and violet all flash across a single rainbow stag beetle from the rainforests of Queensland. Blend the colors into each other instead of drawing stripes, and save a white streak for the gloss. Detailed.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Named for its long reach, the giraffe stag beetle carries some of the longest jaws of any stag beetle, almost as long as the rest of its body. It lives in the forests of India and Southeast Asia. Black, with sharp white highlights. — Named for its long reach, the giraffe stag beetle carries some of the longest jaws of any stag beetle, almost as long as the rest of its body. It lives in the forests of India and Southeast Asia. Black, with sharp white highlights.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Small enough to sit on a thumb, the golden stag beetle of eastern Australia shines like polished metal. Its short jaws carry a row of tiny teeth. Layer yellow, green and a touch of copper to get that shimmer. — Small enough to sit on a thumb, the golden stag beetle of eastern Australia shines like polished metal. Its short jaws carry a row of tiny teeth. Layer yellow, green and a touch of copper to get that shimmer.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Out in Arizona and the Southwest, this cousin of the eastern Hercules drinks sap from ash trees in late summer. Its pale gray-green shell is dotted with dark flecks that never repeat exactly from beetle to beetle. Detailed bark and leaves. — Out in Arizona and the Southwest, this cousin of the eastern Hercules drinks sap from ash trees in late summer. Its pale gray-green shell is dotted with dark flecks that never repeat exactly from beetle to beetle. Detailed bark and leaves.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Run a finger along a live elephant beetle and it feels like velvet: the dark body is covered in fine golden hairs. A big male from Central America can reach nearly five inches. Feathery strokes over brown-black give the fuzz. — Run a finger along a live elephant beetle and it feels like velvet: the dark body is covered in fine golden hairs. A big male from Central America can reach nearly five inches. Feathery strokes over brown-black give the fuzz.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Three horns, all at the front end. The Atlas beetle of Southeast Asia uses them to pry rivals off a branch during the mating season. Color it black, then add a faint bronze-green sheen along the wing covers. — Three horns, all at the front end. The Atlas beetle of Southeast Asia uses them to pry rivals off a branch during the mating season. Color it black, then add a faint bronze-green sheen along the wing covers.

Beetle Coloring Pages - In Japan this is kabutomushi, a summer pet that children keep in plastic cases and feed on fruit jelly. The male's forked horn is a lever for flipping rivals off a tree. Deep reddish brown to black. — In Japan this is kabutomushi, a summer pet that children keep in plastic cases and feed on fruit jelly. The male's forked horn is a lever for flipping rivals off a tree. Deep reddish brown to black.

Beetle Coloring Pages - A single curved horn, set on the head rather than the thorax, marks the European rhinoceros beetle. Its grubs grow up in compost heaps and old sawdust, so gardeners meet them more often than the adults. Chestnut brown with a bright shine. — A single curved horn, set on the head rather than the thorax, marks the European rhinoceros beetle. Its grubs grow up in compost heaps and old sawdust, so gardeners meet them more often than the adults. Chestnut brown with a bright shine.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Horns on the shoulders instead of the head: the ox beetle's points rise from the thorax like a small set of antlers. It ranges from the southern United States into South America. Reddish brown with a varnished finish. — Horns on the shoulders instead of the head: the ox beetle's points rise from the thorax like a small set of antlers. It ranges from the southern United States into South America. Reddish brown with a varnished finish.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Weighed as a grub, the goliath ranks among the heaviest insects on record, topping three ounces before it ever becomes an adult. The grown beetle keeps the drama: bold black and white stripes on the collar, wing covers from cream to chestnut. — Weighed as a grub, the goliath ranks among the heaviest insects on record, topping three ounces before it ever becomes an adult. The grown beetle keeps the drama: bold black and white stripes on the collar, wing covers from cream to chestnut.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Wearing the forked horn of a much bigger beetle, this African flower chafer is only about an inch and a half long. Real ones shine in metallic greens, often edged in a warmer color, so a bright highlighter outline is fair game. — Wearing the forked horn of a much bigger beetle, this African flower chafer is only about an inch and a half long. Real ones shine in metallic greens, often edged in a warmer color, so a bright highlighter outline is fair game.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Sunny by name and by color, this West African flower chafer comes in warm yellow with chocolate-brown borders. It is one of the easiest beetles to raise at home, content with a tub of soil and slices of banana. — Sunny by name and by color, this West African flower chafer comes in warm yellow with chocolate-brown borders. It is one of the easiest beetles to raise at home, content with a tub of soil and slices of banana.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Squint at the back of an Australian fiddler beetle and the lime-green markings on black trace the outline of a violin. Adults spend summer days face-down in eucalyptus blossoms. Paint the swirls bright green, everything else inky black. — Squint at the back of an Australian fiddler beetle and the lime-green markings on black trace the outline of a violin. Adults spend summer days face-down in eucalyptus blossoms. Paint the swirls bright green, everything else inky black.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Patchwork markings earn it the harlequin name. Like other flower chafers, it flies with its wing covers shut, sliding the flying wings out from the sides - a trick most beetles never learned. Pick two strongly contrasting colors for the patches. — Patchwork markings earn it the harlequin name. Like other flower chafers, it flies with its wing covers shut, sliding the flying wings out from the sides – a trick most beetles never learned. Pick two strongly contrasting colors for the patches.

Beetle Coloring Pages - An accidental import, first found in a New Jersey nursery more than a century ago, the Japanese beetle now chews through roses and grapevines across much of the East. Metallic green head, copper wing covers and little white tufts along the sides. — An accidental import, first found in a New Jersey nursery more than a century ago, the Japanese beetle now chews through roses and grapevines across much of the East. Metallic green head, copper wing covers and little white tufts along the sides.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Pick one up and it squeaks in protest, rubbing its abdomen against the edge of its shell. The ten-lined June beetle of the American West also has fan-shaped antennae that catch a female's scent from far away. White stripes on brown; the fans stay plain. — Pick one up and it squeaks in protest, rubbing its abdomen against the edge of its shell. The ten-lined June beetle of the American West also has fan-shaped antennae that catch a female's scent from far away. White stripes on brown; the fans stay plain.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Living jewelry from the juniper woodlands of Arizona and Texas: the glorious scarab is leaf green with stripes of polished silver. Its shell even twists the light it reflects, a trick only special filters reveal. Pale green first, then silver gel pen on the stripes. — Living jewelry from the juniper woodlands of Arizona and Texas: the glorious scarab is leaf green with stripes of polished silver. Its shell even twists the light it reflects, a trick only special filters reveal. Pale green first, then silver gel pen on the stripes.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Faced with a ball bigger than itself, this roller climbs on top, does a little turning dance to take a reading from the sky, then pushes off backward in a perfectly straight line. Dusty black all over, with a satin finish. — Faced with a ball bigger than itself, this roller climbs on top, does a little turning dance to take a reading from the sky, then pushes off backward in a perfectly straight line. Dusty black all over, with a satin finish.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Shorter than a fingernail, the bull-headed dung beetle can pull more than a thousand times its own weight, which makes it a serious contender for the strongest insect alive. Only males carry the curved horns. Deep bronze-black throughout. — Shorter than a fingernail, the bull-headed dung beetle can pull more than a thousand times its own weight, which makes it a serious contender for the strongest insect alive. Only males carry the curved horns. Deep bronze-black throughout.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Dung beetles are not supposed to be this pretty. The rainbow scarab of the eastern United States flashes a coppery-red collar over a metallic green back, and the male tops it off with a single curved horn. Bring out the shiniest pencils in the box. — Dung beetles are not supposed to be this pretty. The rainbow scarab of the eastern United States flashes a coppery-red collar over a metallic green back, and the male tops it off with a single curved horn. Bring out the shiniest pencils in the box.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Both parents stay home with the kids, a rare arrangement among insects: they guard the nest and feed the larvae themselves. Now a protected species in the United States. Shiny black, with orange-red bands and an orange patch on the collar. — Both parents stay home with the kids, a rare arrangement among insects: they guard the nest and feed the larvae themselves. Now a protected species in the United States. Shiny black, with orange-red bands and an orange patch on the collar.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Bess beetles talk. By rubbing body parts together they produce more than a dozen distinct squeaks, used inside rotting logs where whole families live side by side. Patent-leather black, with a tiny horn on the head. — Bess beetles talk. By rubbing body parts together they produce more than a dozen distinct squeaks, used inside rotting logs where whole families live side by side. Patent-leather black, with a tiny horn on the head.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Emerald green and built for speed, the six-spotted tiger beetle sprints along forest paths and flies a few yards ahead every time you get close. Count the white dots before coloring; plenty of these beetles have fewer than six. — Emerald green and built for speed, the six-spotted tiger beetle sprints along forest paths and flies a few yards ahead every time you get close. Count the white dots before coloring; plenty of these beetles have fewer than six.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Tiger beetles run so fast that their eyes cannot keep up, so they stop, look and dash again. This one hunts on open sand, where its wavy cream markings match the beach almost perfectly. Pale sand on the wing covers, bronze on the head. — Tiger beetles run so fast that their eyes cannot keep up, so they stop, look and dash again. This one hunts on open sand, where its wavy cream markings match the beach almost perfectly. Pale sand on the wing covers, bronze on the head.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Most tiger beetles hunt in sunshine; this one waits for dark and often turns up under streetlights in the South. Those oversized jaws make quick work of other insects. Metallic green body with pale amber tips at the rear. — Most tiger beetles hunt in sunshine; this one waits for dark and often turns up under streetlights in the South. Those oversized jaws make quick work of other insects. Metallic green body with pale amber tips at the rear.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Up a tree trunk and into the canopy goes the fiery searcher, hunting caterpillars branch by branch. Its wing covers are brilliant green with red-gold edges, and the collar gleams purple. Detailed ridges on the shell. — Up a tree trunk and into the canopy goes the fiery searcher, hunting caterpillars branch by branch. Its wing covers are brilliant green with red-gold edges, and the collar gleams purple. Detailed ridges on the shell.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Six chalk-white spots on jet black make this Indian ground beetle easy to notice and wise to avoid: it sprays a stinging acid when grabbed. Keep every spot pure white and press hard with the black. — Six chalk-white spots on jet black make this Indian ground beetle easy to notice and wise to avoid: it sprays a stinging acid when grabbed. Keep every spot pure white and press hard with the black.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Disturb a bombardier beetle and it fires back with a hot, popping chemical spray mixed on the spot inside its abdomen. Even toads that swallow one sometimes spit it out alive and well. Orange head and legs, blue-black wing covers. — Disturb a bombardier beetle and it fires back with a hot, popping chemical spray mixed on the spot inside its abdomen. Even toads that swallow one sometimes spit it out alive and well. Orange head and legs, blue-black wing covers.

Beetle Coloring Pages - By day it hides under logs; by night the violet ground beetle patrols European gardens for slugs - a pest controller that never sends a bill. Mostly black, with a purple glow along each edge. — By day it hides under logs; by night the violet ground beetle patrols European gardens for slugs – a pest controller that never sends a bill. Mostly black, with a purple glow along each edge.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Every dive starts at the surface: the great diving beetle tucks a bubble of air under its wing covers and carries it down like a scuba tank. Olive-black on top, with a narrow yellow rim around the shell and collar. — Every dive starts at the surface: the great diving beetle tucks a bubble of air under its wing covers and carries it down like a scuba tank. Olive-black on top, with a narrow yellow rim around the shell and collar.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Bright yellow freckles on black make the sunburst diving beetle one of the showiest swimmers in the ponds of the Southwest and Mexico. Zoos love it for exactly that reason. Lemon spots, night-black background. — Bright yellow freckles on black make the sunburst diving beetle one of the showiest swimmers in the ponds of the Southwest and Mexico. Zoos love it for exactly that reason. Lemon spots, night-black background.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Ready for air and water at once, the whirligig has eyes divided into upper and lower halves - one pair scans the air, the other the water - while it spins in tight circles on a pond. Black with dark bronze reflections. — Ready for air and water at once, the whirligig has eyes divided into upper and lower halves – one pair scans the air, the other the water – while it spins in tight circles on a pond. Black with dark bronze reflections.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Its belly shines silver underwater, thanks to a thin film of air trapped in fine hairs. Unlike diving beetles, the giant water scavenger paddles with its legs out of sync and mostly eats plants. Deep olive-black, silver below. — Its belly shines silver underwater, thanks to a thin film of air trapped in fine hairs. Unlike diving beetles, the giant water scavenger paddles with its legs out of sync and mostly eats plants. Deep olive-black, silver below.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Fake eyes on the collar are there to scare off birds. If the bluff fails, the eastern eyed click beetle plays dead, then snaps its body with a loud click and flips itself upright. Salt-and-pepper speckles all over. — Fake eyes on the collar are there to scare off birds. If the bluff fails, the eastern eyed click beetle plays dead, then snaps its body with a loud click and flips itself upright. Salt-and-pepper speckles all over.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Headlights on a beetle: two pale spots on the collar glow green in the dark, making this tropical click beetle one of the brightest glowing insects on Earth. Leave the lamps white, or try a pale green highlighter. — Headlights on a beetle: two pale spots on the collar glow green in the dark, making this tropical click beetle one of the brightest glowing insects on Earth. Leave the lamps white, or try a pale green highlighter.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Talk about patience: golden jewel beetle grubs have chewed their way out of floorboards and furniture decades after the timber was cut, once more than fifty years later. Iridescent green-gold with coppery edges. — Talk about patience: golden jewel beetle grubs have chewed their way out of floorboards and furniture decades after the timber was cut, once more than fifty years later. Iridescent green-gold with coppery edges.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Hammered bronze is the look: every bump and groove on the shell stands out in relief. The sculptured pine borer haunts eastern pine forests and sunny lumber piles. Coppery gray, rubbed lighter on the ridges. — Hammered bronze is the look: every bump and groove on the shell stands out in relief. The sculptured pine borer haunts eastern pine forests and sunny lumber piles. Coppery gray, rubbed lighter on the ridges.

Beetle Coloring Pages - The family covers thousands of species, and some of them carry heat sensors that pick up a forest fire from miles away, then fly in to lay eggs in the freshly burned trees. Polish the shell in greens and blues. — The family covers thousands of species, and some of them carry heat sensors that pick up a forest fire from miles away, then fly in to lay eggs in the freshly burned trees. Polish the shell in greens and blues.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Half an inch of shimmering green, the emerald ash borer arrived from Asia in the early two-thousands and has spread across much of eastern North America since. Metallic emerald, with a coppery-red belly hidden under the wings. — Half an inch of shimmering green, the emerald ash borer arrived from Asia in the early two-thousands and has spread across much of eastern North America since. Metallic emerald, with a coppery-red belly hidden under the wings.

Beetle Coloring Pages - The front legs of a male harlequin beetle can outreach its whole body, handy for clinging to fig trees in the rainforests of Central and South America. Tiny pseudoscorpions often hitch rides under its wing covers. Detailed black, red and olive pattern. — The front legs of a male harlequin beetle can outreach its whole body, handy for clinging to fig trees in the rainforests of Central and South America. Tiny pseudoscorpions often hitch rides under its wing covers. Detailed black, red and olive pattern.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Powder blue with deep black patches and a tuft on every antenna segment, the Rosalia longhorn is one of Europe's most admired beetles and protected in many countries. It breeds in old beech wood. Soft blue-gray, black patches. — Powder blue with deep black patches and a tuft on every antenna segment, the Rosalia longhorn is one of Europe's most admired beetles and protected in many countries. It breeds in old beech wood. Soft blue-gray, black patches.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Western cousin of the Rosalia longhorn, the banded alder borer swaps blue for bold black-and-white bands. Males turn up at freshly painted houses, fooled by a chemical in the paint that mimics their own scent. Keep the white bands crisp. — Western cousin of the Rosalia longhorn, the banded alder borer swaps blue for bold black-and-white bands. Males turn up at freshly painted houses, fooled by a chemical in the paint that mimics their own scent. Keep the white bands crisp.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Big for a longhorn, the cottonwood borer wears a white coat with black blotches laid out like a jigsaw puzzle. Its grubs tunnel into the roots of cottonwoods and poplars. Ivory and black, nothing else. — Big for a longhorn, the cottonwood borer wears a white coat with black blotches laid out like a jigsaw puzzle. Its grubs tunnel into the roots of cottonwoods and poplars. Ivory and black, nothing else.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Yellow zigzags on black make the locust borer look like a wasp, which keeps most birds at a respectful distance. Look for it on goldenrod in early fall; the grubs live in black locust trees. Sunflower yellow over charcoal. — Yellow zigzags on black make the locust borer look like a wasp, which keeps most birds at a respectful distance. Look for it on goldenrod in early fall; the grubs live in black locust trees. Sunflower yellow over charcoal.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Four eyes, technically: each eye is split in two by the base of the antenna. The red milkweed beetle eats only milkweed, stores the plant's bitter toxins and advertises them in bright warning colors. Tomato red, black dots, black antennae. — Four eyes, technically: each eye is split in two by the base of the antenna. The red milkweed beetle eats only milkweed, stores the plant's bitter toxins and advertises them in bright warning colors. Tomato red, black dots, black antennae.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Dark metallic blue with a vivid orange cape across the shoulders, the elderberry borer looks dressed for a costume party. Its grubs spend about two years inside elderberry stems. Navy first, then a saturated orange. — Dark metallic blue with a vivid orange cape across the shoulders, the elderberry borer looks dressed for a costume party. Its grubs spend about two years inside elderberry stems. Navy first, then a saturated orange.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Antennae up to twice its body length give the pine sawyer its sweeping silhouette, and the name comes from the sawing sound its larvae make while chewing inside pine logs. Mottled gray-brown with pale flecks. — Antennae up to twice its body length give the pine sawyer its sweeping silhouette, and the name comes from the sawing sound its larvae make while chewing inside pine logs. Mottled gray-brown with pale flecks.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Saw-toothed antennae and a spiky collar belong to the California root borer, one of the biggest beetles in the West at well over two inches. Adults fly on summer evenings and never eat. Rich reddish brown with a dull sheen. — Saw-toothed antennae and a spiky collar belong to the California root borer, one of the biggest beetles in the West at well over two inches. Adults fly on summer evenings and never eat. Rich reddish brown with a dull sheen.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Only on Madagascar: the male giraffe weevil's neck is two to three times longer than the female's, and he uses it to joust with rivals over a leaf. Scarlet wing covers, black neck and legs. — Only on Madagascar: the male giraffe weevil's neck is two to three times longer than the female's, and he uses it to joust with rivals over a leaf. Scarlet wing covers, black neck and legs.

Beetle Coloring Pages - That snout is longer than the rest of the beetle, and it works as a drill: the female bores a tiny hole into a green acorn and slips an egg inside. The grub eats the nut from within. Mottled brown, tan and gray. — That snout is longer than the rest of the beetle, and it works as a drill: the female bores a tiny hole into a green acorn and slips an egg inside. The grub eats the nut from within. Mottled brown, tan and gray.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Originally Caribbean, the Diaprepes root weevil reached Florida in the nineteen-sixties and now ranks among the worst pests in its citrus groves. Its striped coat is made of minute scales. Gray stripes over black, with a dusting of orange. — Originally Caribbean, the Diaprepes root weevil reached Florida in the nineteen-sixties and now ranks among the worst pests in its citrus groves. Its striped coat is made of minute scales. Gray stripes over black, with a dusting of orange.

Beetle Coloring Pages - No pigment makes that turquoise. The blue weevil of New Guinea owes its color to microscopic scales that bend light, much like a peacock feather does. Turquoise with black bands, as bright as your pencils allow. — No pigment makes that turquoise. The blue weevil of New Guinea owes its color to microscopic scales that bend light, much like a peacock feather does. Turquoise with black bands, as bright as your pencils allow.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Physicists love the Brazilian diamond weevil: each pit on its black shell holds scales that sparkle green and gold, a natural model for light-bending crystals. Fill every dot with emerald and leave a speck of white in the middle. — Physicists love the Brazilian diamond weevil: each pit on its black shell holds scales that sparkle green and gold, a natural model for light-bending crystals. Fill every dot with emerald and leave a speck of white in the middle.

Beetle Coloring Pages - New Zealand's longest beetle, the male giraffe weevil can reach about three inches, and roughly half of that is snout, with the antennae perched near the tip. Warm brown with faint cream stripes along the back. — New Zealand's longest beetle, the male giraffe weevil can reach about three inches, and roughly half of that is snout, with the antennae perched near the tip. Warm brown with faint cream stripes along the back.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Touch a golden tortoise beetle and the gold can fade to dull orange within minutes, then return once it calms down. A clear rim rings the body, a glass dome over a tiny jewel. Gold center, colorless edge. — Touch a golden tortoise beetle and the gold can fade to dull orange within minutes, then return once it calms down. A clear rim rings the body, a glass dome over a tiny jewel. Gold center, colorless edge.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Look through the edges: the clavate tortoise beetle's shield is see-through, framing a brown pattern shaped like a pair of clubs. It feeds on plants of the nightshade family. Tan and chocolate inside, edges left white. — Look through the edges: the clavate tortoise beetle's shield is see-through, framing a brown pattern shaped like a pair of clubs. It feeds on plants of the nightshade family. Tan and chocolate inside, edges left white.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Easy to mistake for an oversized ladybug, the argus tortoise beetle grazes on morning glory and sweet potato leaves across much of the United States. Brick red or orange shell, with black spots on the back and on the shield behind the head. — Easy to mistake for an oversized ladybug, the argus tortoise beetle grazes on morning glory and sweet potato leaves across much of the United States. Brick red or orange shell, with black spots on the back and on the shield behind the head.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Few North American beetles can match its finish: the dogbane beetle shimmers green, copper and blue at once, as oil does on water. It feeds only on dogbane, a plant most animals avoid. Blend all three colors across the back. — Few North American beetles can match its finish: the dogbane beetle shimmers green, copper and blue at once, as oil does on water. It feeds only on dogbane, a plant most animals avoid. Blend all three colors across the back.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Rocky Mountain weed to world-famous pest: the Colorado potato beetle switched to potato fields in the eighteen-hundreds and has outwitted nearly every pesticide since. Ten black stripes on cream-yellow, orange collar with black dots. — Rocky Mountain weed to world-famous pest: the Colorado potato beetle switched to potato fields in the eighteen-hundreds and has outwitted nearly every pesticide since. Ten black stripes on cream-yellow, orange collar with black dots.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Twelve black spots on lime-yellow, and not a ladybug at all. Gardeners know the spotted cucumber beetle from squash and cucumber leaves; farmers know its grub as the southern corn rootworm. Black head, green-yellow shell. — Twelve black spots on lime-yellow, and not a ladybug at all. Gardeners know the spotted cucumber beetle from squash and cucumber leaves; farmers know its grub as the southern corn rootworm. Black head, green-yellow shell.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Swollen hind legs, yet no jumping: the frog-legged leaf beetle of Southeast Asia uses them to grip stems, and males use them to wrestle. The shell flashes metallic green, purple or copper. Detailed legs; color them to match. — Swollen hind legs, yet no jumping: the frog-legged leaf beetle of Southeast Asia uses them to grip stems, and males use them to wrestle. The shell flashes metallic green, purple or copper. Detailed legs; color them to match.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Males use their long, flattened snouts to fence over females, while the female drills into wounded oaks to lay her eggs. The oak timberworm is dark reddish brown with neat orange-yellow dashes along the wing covers. — Males use their long, flattened snouts to fence over females, while the female drills into wounded oaks to lay her eggs. The oak timberworm is dark reddish brown with neat orange-yellow dashes along the wing covers.

Beetle Coloring Pages - A horn juts forward over its head like the visor of a cap. This tiny antlike flower beetle is famous among entomologists for craving cantharidin, a blister chemical it collects from other insects. Tan with sepia patches. — A horn juts forward over its head like the visor of a cap. This tiny antlike flower beetle is famous among entomologists for craving cantharidin, a blister chemical it collects from other insects. Tan with sepia patches.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Wasp-colored and pollen-dusted, the ornate checkered beetle spends spring on flowers, while its larvae grow up inside the nests of bees. Red-orange and blue-black bands, with sharp wavy edges between them. — Wasp-colored and pollen-dusted, the ornate checkered beetle spends spring on flowers, while its larvae grow up inside the nests of bees. Red-orange and blue-black bands, with sharp wavy edges between them.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Bird-red from head to tail, the red-headed cardinal beetle is a flat European species with antennae branched into little combs. Its larvae hunt under loose bark. Cherry red all over, black legs and antennae. — Bird-red from head to tail, the red-headed cardinal beetle is a flat European species with antennae branched into little combs. Its larvae hunt under loose bark. Cherry red all over, black legs and antennae.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Behind the raised grid on its wing covers sits a foul taste, and birds learn it fast; harmless moths copy its orange-and-black uniform for protection. Flame orange with black bands, every cell of the net outlined. — Behind the raised grid on its wing covers sits a foul taste, and birds learn it fast; harmless moths copy its orange-and-black uniform for protection. Flame orange with black bands, every cell of the net outlined.

Beetle Coloring Pages - The official state insect of Pennsylvania has a dark side: females copy the flashes of other firefly species to lure their males in for dinner. Butter-yellow edges on dark brown wing covers; leave the tail light white. — The official state insect of Pennsylvania has a dark side: females copy the flashes of other firefly species to lure their males in for dinner. Butter-yellow edges on dark brown wing covers; leave the tail light white.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Watch a summer lawn at dusk and this is the firefly drawing glowing J's in the air: each male dips, then flashes as he swoops up again. Pink collar with a black spot, smoky wing covers with light rims. — Watch a summer lawn at dusk and this is the firefly drawing glowing J's in the air: each male dips, then flashes as he swoops up again. Pink collar with a black spot, smoky wing covers with light rims.

Beetle Coloring Pages - Rove beetles fold their wings under short wing covers, leaving the long abdomen bare. This one hangs around mushrooms and ambushes the flies that visit them. Mottled brown with gold patches. Detailed. — Rove beetles fold their wings under short wing covers, leaving the long abdomen bare. This one hangs around mushrooms and ambushes the flies that visit them. Mottled brown with gold patches. Detailed.

Fun Things to Make with These Coloring Pages

Museum specimen box – color several species, cut them out and pin them in rows inside a shallow box or shadow frame, with a small handwritten label under each one, like a drawer from an old natural history collection.
Metallic shell finish – once the coloring is dry, trace over the wing covers with metallic gel pens or markers. A few strokes of gold, green or copper turn a flat shell into something that catches the light.
Size chart on the wall – before coloring, write each beetle's real length beside it, then line the sheets up from smallest to largest. The jump from a ladybug to a horned giant is startling at full scale.
Ladybug garden stones – use the ladybug sheets as a pattern guide for painting smooth stones with acrylics. Copy the color and spot count of a real species instead of inventing one, then tuck the stones into a flowerpot.
Species flash cards – print at reduced size, two or four sheets to a page, color them and glue each onto an index card. Write the range, size and one surprising fact on the back.
Bug hotel sign – color a sheet, cover it with clear packing tape on both sides and mount it on a stick beside a garden log pile or bug hotel, where real beetles shelter.
Lucky ladybug card – ladybugs count as a good-luck sign in many countries. Fold a sheet of card stock, glue a colored ladybug on the front and write a short wish inside.
Horn and jaw bookmarks – cut a long stag or rhinoceros beetle out in one strip, glue it to thin cardboard and let the horns or jaws stick out above the top of the book.

More Coloring Pages

Insect Coloring Pages - A honey bee makes roughly a twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her whole life, so this flower gets her full attention. Amber abdomen with dark brown bands, and a pale fuzzy collar of hair around the thorax.

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Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - The most famous wings in North America, resting on a milkweed flower cluster - the only plant its caterpillars will eat. Fill the panels bright orange, the veins and borders black, and dot the margins white.

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Sea Creature Coloring Pages - The green sea turtle is not green on the outside. The name comes from a layer of green fat under the shell, built from a lifetime of eating seagrass. Shell in olive and brown streaks, skin a soft gray-green.

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Aquarium Fish Coloring Pages - A betta can gulp air at the surface through a labyrinth organ, which is how bettas get by in shallow rice paddies. This halfmoon tail opens wider than the fish is long. Detailed - let deep red melt into royal blue at the fin edges.

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