Ever walk out to your porch in Austin or Dallas and see a bug that looks like it was painted by a minimalist artist? You’re not alone. Finding a black and white beetle in Texas is a rite of passage for anyone who spends more than five minutes outdoors during a Lone Star summer. Some look like they’ve been splattered with white paint. Others have bold, geometric checkers that make them look like they belong on a high-fashion runway rather than a dusty cottonwood tree.
Most people panic. They think every spotted black bug is the invasive Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) coming to devour their neighborhood. Honestly? It usually isn't. Texas is home to several native look-alikes that are far more common and, frankly, a lot more interesting once you get to know them.
The Cottonwood Borer: The Big, Bold Giant
If the beetle you found is huge—we're talking over an inch long—and looks like a black-and-white checkerboard, you’ve likely met the Cottonwood Borer (Plectrodera scalator). These guys are absolute units. They have long, sweeping black antennae that can be as long as their entire body.
You'll mostly find them hanging out on—you guessed it—cottonwood, willow, or poplar trees. While they look intimidating, they aren't out to get you. Their "checkered" pattern is actually made of tiny, dense white hairs growing over a black exoskeleton. It's a striking look.
Why They Matter
- The Damage: The adults chew on tender leaf stems, which can cause "flagging" (when the leaves turn brown and die).
- The Larvae: The real work happens underground. The grubs tunnel into the roots and base of trees.
- Tree Health: In a big, mature tree, they're just part of the ecosystem. But in young trees, a heavy infestation can actually girdle the base and kill the plant.
If you see one, don't freak out. They’ve been in Texas way longer than the recent tech boom. They’re a native part of the landscape, though they might give your young trees a bit of a hard time if the population gets too high.
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The Texas Ironclad Beetle: Basically a Tiny Tank
Now, if the beetle you found feels like it's made of actual stone, you’re looking at the Texas Ironclad Beetle (Zopherus haldemani). These are easily some of the coolest insects in the state. They have a creamy white body covered in irregular black splotches, looking a bit like a bird dropping or a piece of granite.
They are famous for having an incredibly hard exoskeleton. People used to joke that you’d need a drill to put an insect pin through one. Honestly, if you step on one, it might just walk away like nothing happened. This "armor" is an adaptation for the dry, harsh Texas environment, helping them retain moisture.
Fun Facts about Ironclads
- Playing Dead: When they get spooked, they don't run. They just tuck in their legs and go perfectly still. They can stay like that for a long time.
- Living Jewelry: In some parts of Mexico, relatives of these beetles are sometimes decorated with gems and worn as "living brooches." (Maybe don't try that with your backyard variety).
- Diet: They aren't interested in your garden. They mostly eat lichens and fungi on dead or dying trees.
The Eyed Click Beetle: The One with the "Eyes"
Sometimes you’ll spot a beetle that seems to be staring back at you. The Eyed Click Beetle (Alaus oculatus) has two massive, black-and-white circles on its back that look exactly like giant eyes.
It’s a trick. Those "eyes" are actually on the beetle's pronotum (the area behind the head). The real eyes are much smaller and hidden. This is a classic "scare tactic" to keep birds and lizards from eating them.
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The Click Trick: If this beetle ends up on its back, it has a built-in spring mechanism. It "clicks" its body, launching itself into the air to flip over. It’s loud, it’s fast, and it’s a great party trick if you find one on your driveway.
Is it the Invasive Asian Longhorned Beetle?
This is what keeps homeowners up at night. The Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) is a serious threat to hardwood trees, but it’s often confused with our local Cottonwood Borer.
How to tell the difference:
- Antennae: The ALB has "banded" antennae—segments of black followed by segments of white. The Cottonwood Borer usually has solid black antennae.
- The Body: ALB is glossy, shiny black with distinct white spots. The Cottonwood Borer has more of a "mesh" or "blocky" pattern of white and black.
- The Neck: Look at the area just behind the head. The Cottonwood Borer has white stripes around its "neck," whereas the ALB is solid black there.
If you genuinely suspect you’ve found an ALB, you should report it to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension or the USDA. But nine times out of ten in Texas, you've just found a very flashy native neighbor.
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Managing These Beetles in Your Yard
Most of these black and white beetles in Texas are harmless. The Ironclad and the Eyed Click Beetle are actually beneficial or neutral to your landscape. The Click Beetle larvae (wireworms) can sometimes be pests in gardens, but the adults are mostly just passing through.
If you have Cottonwood Borers and you're worried about your trees:
- Keep trees healthy: Bored-out trees are usually ones that were already stressed. Regular watering and proper fertilization go a long way.
- Check the base: Look for "frass" (it looks like sawdust) at the base of your cottonwood or willow trees. This is a sign the larvae are at work.
- Physical removal: If you see the adults, you can just pick them off. They don't sting, though they can give a little pinch with those mandibles if you're not careful.
Texas is a big place with a lot of bugs. Seeing a black and white beetle is just a sign that your local ecosystem is doing its thing. Unless they are actively stripping your prize-winning willow tree bare, there’s no reason to reach for the pesticide.
Your Next Steps
- Take a photo: Use a macro lens or just get close. The patterns on an Ironclad beetle are unique, almost like a fingerprint.
- Check the host tree: If you found the beetle on a tree, identify the tree first. Knowing if it's a Pine or an Elm will instantly narrow down which beetle you're looking at.
- Look for the "Eye": If the beetle has big circles on its back, give it a gentle nudge (if it's on its back) to see if it performs its signature "click" flip.
- Report invasives: If the beetle has banded antennae and you’re seeing round, dime-sized holes in your maple or elm trees, call a local arborist to confirm it isn't the Asian Longhorned Beetle.