Beet Armyworm vs Golden Ground Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Beet Armyworm Golden Ground Beetle
Scientific Name Spodoptera exigua Carabus auratus
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Noctuidae Carabidae
Size 25-30 mm wingspan 20-30 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Herbivores Predators
Regions Worldwide warm regions Western Europe
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Beet Armyworm

A small grayish-brown moth whose green caterpillars attack a wide range of vegetable and field crops. Larvae often skeletonize leaves before moving to fruits and growing points.

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Did You Know?

Young larvae spin fine silk threads that allow them to balloon on the wind to new host plants.

Golden Ground Beetle

A large, brilliant metallic green or golden ground beetle with ridged elytra. It is a voracious predator of slugs and caterpillars.

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Did You Know?

French farmers historically valued it so highly that killing one was considered bad luck.