The diversity of species seen in the insect world has always impressed biologists. We always talk about their appearance, habitat, and eating habits. There can be blue, green, iridescent or black and white bugs, they are everywhere! And in any hue you can think of.
Why Are We Talking About Bugs?
Bugs have always been a center of conversation as they are varied in body types, diet, and everything you can consider while judging them. Bugs are everywhere in the world; you can see them in your yard, on your school decks, or even on your skin.
They are everywhere in different sizes, colors, designs, and everything you can consider to classify them. There are many popular color combinations in which you can see animals around. In fact, there are some mind-blowing black and white bugs present on Earth.
Talking about the color combination of these species, you can find a variety of colors. The gradient shades and design makes them stand out among other species present.
The different patterns on their body make them significant and unique among other creatures. So, let’s discover black and white insects around the world.
17 Types Of Black And White Bugs
1) Ashy Gray Lady Beetle
| Scientific Name | Olla v-nigrum |
| Size | 0.12 inch |
| Geographic Location | United States |
| Bite | Less Painful |
Similar to a ladybug with a bigger size. Here is Ashy Gray Lady Beetle, another species of black bug with white spots, found on earth. These species are covered in a light gray color that sometimes appears white. Moreover, these species are friendly and love to socialize with others.
Having a round-shaped body and a light gray color, these species are rare and look mesmerizing to see. The variety of this species differs in size and the count of spots on their back.
2) Twenty-Spotted Lady Beetle
| Scientific Name | Psyllobora Vigintimaculata |
| Size | 0.06- 0.118 inches |
| Geographic Location | North America |
| Bite | Less Painful |
A small ladybug covered in white color with black spots all over. This species gives you a magnificent look as its cover is shiny and has orange linings. These beetles are small and munch on powdery material such as fungus.
Moreover, as they feed on fungus, the spring season is their favorite due to the abundance of food items available to them. They grow up to 3mm in length.
3) Ironclad Beetle
| Scientific Name | Diabolical Ironclad Beetle |
| Size | 0.625- 0.8125 inches |
| Geographic Location | Texas and Northeastern Mexico |
| Bite | Less Painful |
The Ironclad beetle is among the unique species of beetles found on Earth. They have a robotic appearance that makes everyone curious to touch them.
With a dominant white color and black shadow on its body, this beetle is beautiful and highly found in California. Although there is less information available on the web about them, one should always take care of themselves before trying to touch them.
Moreover, they are not dangerous but can give you a painful bite. Ironclad beetles reside on an Oak tree.
4) Cottonwood Borer
| Scientific Name | Plectrodera Scalator |
| Size | 0.5-0.75 inches |
| Geographic Location | United States |
| Bite | Painful Bite |
Found on Balsam Cottonwood trees, this species has got its unique name from its residence. Cottonwood borer is one such species that has a black body with white bands all over it.
The color contrast on their body mimics the pattern on zebras. Generally, the time required for these species to become adults is more, and it takes years to become a fully developed beetle. The size of this species revolves around 30mm to up to 45mm.
5) Ocellated Tiger Beetle
| Scientific Name | Cicindela Ocellata Rectilatera Chaudoir |
| Size | ~0.3125 inches |
| Geographic Location | Florida |
| Bite | Less Painful |
Another beetle to the list of black and white species of bugs found. The ocellated tiger beetle is one such species that has a dark-colored body with small white spots on its back.
They are also known as similar to the common US Beetle because of their similarity. They are excellent at showing camouflage during hunting to get their food easily. The ocellated tiger beetle is nocturnal and is active during the night.
6) Banded Alder Borer
| Scientific Name | Rosalia Funebris |
| Size | 1- 1.25 inches |
| Geographic Location | North America |
| Bite | Painful |
A fascinating species with an ultra-thin body covered with black and white bands. Here is Banded Alder Borer, a species known for its elongated body and thin legs.
Beetle shows their unique feature by flying to move away from predators. They play a vital role in maintaining the ecosystem well. However, these species show some problems to nature as they eat wood and stunt the growth of the growing trees.
7) Common Asparagus Beetle
| Scientific Name | Crioceris Asparagi |
| Size | ~0.25 inches |
| Geographic Location | Southern California |
| Bite | Less Painful |
The Common Asparagus Beetle is another species that you will surely find fascinating. With its classy look and sturdy body design, this species can be easily found in asparagus plantations.
Asparagus beetles are evenly covered with black elytra and white spots and have a red abdomen. You will be able to conclude why this species is named after Asparagus.
You will always find these species munching on asparagus and laying their eggs on it. However, if you see this species on your plant, quickly remove it by hand or use pest spray.
8) Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle
| Scientific Name | Habroscelimorpha Dorsalis |
| Size | 0.5- 0.59 inches |
| Geographic Location | America |
| Bite | Less Painful |
Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle is a species of beetle found in off-white, gray color. Their bodies are striped and show a unique antique pattern.
In case you are curious to see this species through your eyes, you may visit a beach for the sight. Their habitat is the biggest reason for their survival in such harsh weather conditions.
Although there are not many details found on the web, their size varies from 13 to 15mm with a jet-black colored head.
9) Pennsylvania Flea Beetle
| Scientific Name | Chaetocnema Confinis |
| Size | 0.0625- 0.125 inches |
| Geographic Location | America |
| Bite | Less Painful |
Another species of bugs found on earth in black and white color on their body. This beetle is unique and shows a unique body pattern by showcasing only four stripes at the back.
These beetles munch on leaves that help in growing to a significant size of up to 7 mm. Although, you can’t hold this beetle in your hands as they tend to jump.
10) Dogwood Leaf Beetle
| Scientific Name | Calligrapha Philadelphica |
| Size | 0.27 – 0.35 inches |
| Geographic Location | America near Arctic Region |
| Bite | Less Painful |
A common beetle species that shows a sheen silver-colored body with black spots. Introducing Dogwood Leaf Beetle, a species commonly found on Earth.
They are similar to Willow Calligrapher beetles that shows unique body design and black-white stripes colored all over their body. Also, the growth of this species lies from 7mm to 9 mm. However, you won’t be able to see this species every time as they undergo hibernation state during cold temperatures.
They are also well known for laying hundreds of eggs during the summer.
11) Checkered Melon Beetle
| Scientific Name | Paranapiacaba Tricinicta |
| Size | 0.25-0.27 inches |
| Geographic Location | Southwestern Colorado |
| Bite | Less Painful |
A cute little species that gives you happy vibes just by looking at it. Introducing Checkered Melon Beetle, another insect that has a tri-colored body with black-brown dots all over its body.
This species likes to munch on watermelon and similar watery fruits and vegetables. As always, bugs are harmful to plants; this cute species is also among them. So, if you find it on your plants, remove it within seconds before it kills your plant.
12) Hairy Rove Beetle
| Scientific Name | Creophilus Maxillosus |
| Size | 0.26- 0.98 inches |
| Geographic Location | Europe and Asia |
| Bite | Painful |
Have you ever seen a beetle with hair? The hairy rove beetle is a unique species of beetle found in East Asia. This species is well-covered with Black and White hairs all over its body.
Additionally, the alternative black and white bands on their body give them a unique look. This species is social and adapts behavior of other species such that they lay their eggs nearby.
13) Texas Eyed Click Beetle
| Scientific Name | Alaus Oculatus |
| Size | 1 inch |
| Geographic Location | America |
| Bite | Painful |
Introducing Texas Eyed Click Beetle, a species in the category of bugs that uses mimicry to avoid predators. This species looks adorable yet intriguing due to its tricks of changing its appearance.
However, there is less information available about them on the website, yet you must be careful while touching them. Don’t get confident with their minute size; they are not dangerous but can make you cry with their painful bite.
14) Common Willow Calligrapher Beetle
| Scientific Name | Calligrapha Multipunctata |
| Size | Up to 0.7 inches |
| Geographic Location | North America |
| Bite | Less Painful |
The calligrapher beetle is one of the most unique bugs existing on earth with a mixture of sheen silver, white, and black color all over the body. Their body divides into two parts, including a head and an abdomen.
Although, the size of these species is minimal such that you can not see them easily. However, if you find these beetles sticking to your plants, remove them before they disturb your plant’s growth.
15) The Indian Domino Cockroach
| Scientific Name | Therea petiveriana |
| Size | Adult size is about 2-3cm |
| Geographic Location | Southern India |
| Bite | Strong bite & they can also spray chemicals in self-defense |
Therea petiveriana is a species of nocturnal cockroach living around southern India. It is also known by several names, including Indian domino cockroach, seven-spotted cockroach, and desert cockroach.
Mostly found on the ground in scrub forest environments, this fairly roundish and contrastingly patterned cockroach may preferably burrow under leaf litter or loose dirt during the heat of the day.
Here’s one interesting factor to notice, the large white dots on its asymmetric tegmina are positioned so that they look symmetrical when they are closed.
16) Eight-Spotted Flea Beetle
| Scientific Name | Omophoita cyanipennis |
| Size | Small, about 1/16 –1/8 of an inch |
| Geographic Location | Caribbean Sea, Central America, Colombia, and North America |
| Bite | Less Painful |
The majority of this species of Eight-Spotted Flea Beetle exist around wetlands’ edges as it is their most preferred habitat. Omophoita cyanipennis differs from its sister species in terms of its thorax color, which is pinkish, with a black and white head.
Can you guess why these bugs are referred to as flea beetles? This is due to the way they hop to escape predators by using their back legs, much like fleas. Additionally, within this genus, there are two distinct subspecies.
17) Grant’s Hercules Beetle
| Scientific Name | Dynastes grantii |
| Size | Usually, 3.5 to 6.0 cm, but captive-breed individuals can reach up to 8cm |
| Geographic Location | Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah in the U.S. and parts of northern Mexico |
| Bite | Not known to bite |
Among the biggest insects that can fly is the Hercules beetle. The males are the longest beetles known to science because of their elongated rostrum (nose, or beak).
If you’re at all interested, it may be surprising to you that the Hercules Beetle has a color-changing ability that scientists have been studying for a very long time. To date, the most convincing explanation has been that the beetle’s visibility decreases as a result of nighttime humidity increase that causes it to turn black. And the beetle’s elytron structure is to blame for this color shift.
FAQs
Q1. What are the black and white bugs in my house?
Ans. Those could probably be the Varied or variegated carpet beetles that can display a variety of colors: mostly orange, black, or with a white-speckled appearance. These are small carpet bugs that are around 2 to 4mm long.
Q2. Are black and white beetles harmful?
Ans. Some black and white bugs like the Hairy Rove Beetle can inflict a painful bite. While that’s not the case with every beetle of such color, it is still better to stay cautious around unknown insects.
Q3. What is a small black and white striped insect?
Ans. Many bugs like the Banded Alder Borer, carpet beetles, a phantom crane fly, etc. have this distinct black and white striped appearance.
Q4. What are these black bugs with white dots?
Ans. Some bugs have fantastic black bodies with white dots all over them, including the spotted lanternfly, eight-spotted flea beetle, six-spot ground beetle, etc.
Q5. Are tiny white bugs harmful?
Ans. The accuracy of the answer depends on specific species of interest. However, while talking in general, white bugs like mealybugs are popular for damaging plants.
But, mostly not harmful to humans, some white bugs like mites can be responsible for causing allergic reactions because they shed long hairs frequently that may carry allergens.
Q6. How do I get rid of little white bugs?
Ans. Reduce feeding and watering, wipe leaves frequently, and squirt plants with forceful bursts of water. Additionally, one can lower nighttime temperatures to keep mealybug infestations from occurring. By doing this, we can eradicate the small white pests without endangering the valuable plants that the residents have grown.
Conclusion
Bugs are intriguing species found. Their activities and presence make scientists question their survival and habitats. Hence, we have covered many black and white bug and their species that enlighten us about the different colorations of bugs.
Moreover, these bugs have enough potential to disturb you for minutes to years because of their powerful biting and stinking. So we suggest you maintain a certain distance from them to be safe.
Also Read:
- Top 15 Most Painful Stings Worldwide (Schmidt Sting Pain Index)
- What Animals Can Eat Plastics? Plastivore Species
Anjali Prasad, a B. Pharm. graduate who works as a content writer for HowItSee, is based in Delhi. Except for her, not many people take the typical road from healthcare to writing. Her love of writing stemmed from her involvement in the college literature society and her early journaling at the age of 7. Hence, the love of learning and the spirit of exploration are what drew her to this career. You can find her on common social media like Instagram.