Size: Varies widely based on species. The largest species can be over six inches long while the smallest species can be less than a millimeter long. The most common types of beetles in N.Y. are the black carpet beetle, which are 2.8 to 5 mm long, and the confused flour beetle, which are about 3.5 mm long.
Color: Different species of beetle may be vibrant, bright colors, or simple blacks or browns. Regardless of species, beetles tend to be shiny because of their hardened, thick forewings and shell-like wing covers. Common beetles of New York tend to be black, dark brown, or reddish-brown.