Alpine Click Beetle vs Tundra Leaf Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Alpine Click Beetle Tundra Leaf Beetle
Scientific Name Hypnoidus rivularius Chrysomela lapponica
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Elateridae Chrysomelidae
Size 5-7 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Mountains Tundra & Arctic
Diet Root Feeders Herbivores
Regions Northern Europe, Alps, Scandinavia Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, subarctic Canada
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Alpine Click Beetle

A small, dark click beetle found in damp alpine and subalpine habitats. Its larvae develop in moist soil among grass roots.

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Did You Know?

Like all click beetles, it can launch itself into the air with an audible click to escape predators.

Tundra Leaf Beetle

A rounded, metallic reddish-brown leaf beetle with variable dark markings. Adults and larvae feed on willows in subarctic and mountain regions. Both stages produce chemical defenses derived from salicylates in willow leaves.

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Did You Know?

Larvae secrete droplets of salicylaldehyde derived from willow on their backs, creating a chemical shield that repels predators.