A big black beetle crawls across your kitchen floor as you patter past in your bare feet. A sense of panic sets in. What to do? Smash it to smithereens? NO! NO! NO! Despite their sometimes frightful appearance, insects are fascinating and wonderful creatures, often harmed out of fear and a lack of knowledge.

The glossy beetle depicted in this column had somehow made its way into my home, where it crawled slowly across the floor attempting to discern its whereabouts. After relocating it outside (see photo caption) and taking some photos to share here, I began searching through my field guides to discern what type of beetle it was.

Its identity remained a mystery until I turned to Bug Guide, a wonderful online resource for identifying “insects, spiders and their kin.” The site is hosted by Iowa State University’s Department of Entomology, which has organized a community of scientists and naturalists who eagerly share their knowledge and observations of insects in order to increase awareness and appreciation for these frequently maligned creatures.

Those with an insect to identify can visit the site to see if their bug is already depicted there. If not, they can submit an “ID Request” to learn what species they have found. The dedicated researchers are passionate about their work and quick to respond. My beautiful black bug turned out to be a type of scarab beetle identified as Osmoderma scabra. Hopefully, it is now happily going about its business in my backyard!

 The site, which aims to create an ever-expanding knowledge base about bugs in the United States and Canada, also provides loads of photos and information that helps to reduce fear and to raise respect for insects. Visit bugguide.net to learn more.