Big-eyed Ground Beetle vs Hawthorn Shieldbug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Big-eyed Ground Beetle Hawthorn Shieldbug
Scientific Name Notiophilus biguttatus Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale
Order Coleoptera Hemiptera
Family Carabidae Acanthosomatidae
Size 5-6 mm 13-17 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Predators Fruit Feeders
Regions Europe, northern Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Big-eyed Ground Beetle

A small, fast-running ground beetle with enormously enlarged eyes relative to its body size. It has a bronze sheen and is a visual hunter that chases springtails across the ground.

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Did You Know?

Its eyes are so large relative to its head that they are considered one of the most extreme examples of visual adaptation among ground beetles, rivaling tiger beetles.

Hawthorn Shieldbug

A large green-and-red shieldbug common on hawthorn trees across Europe. It produces a strong, pungent smell from thoracic scent glands when handled.

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Did You Know?

Its red-tipped abdomen peeking out from under the green wings gives it the memorable alternative name 'red-rumped shieldbug.'