Atlas Longhorn vs Thistle Tortoise Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Atlas Longhorn | Thistle Tortoise Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Macrotoma palmata | Cassida rubiginosa |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Cerambycidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 40-65 mm | 6-8 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa | Europe, Asia, introduced to New Zealand and North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Atlas Longhorn
A large prionine beetle from tropical Africa with palmate (comb-like) antennae in males. The body is dark brown with a robust build. Larvae develop in large fallen trunks of savanna trees.
Did You Know?
The elaborate comb-like antennae of males are thought to detect female pheromones with extreme sensitivity.
Thistle Tortoise Beetle
A pale green to yellowish-brown tortoise beetle with a somewhat flattened, circular body. It has been used as a biocontrol agent against invasive thistles in several countries.
Did You Know?
It was deliberately introduced to New Zealand and Canada as a biological control agent to combat invasive thistle species.