Big-headed Tiger Beetle vs Yellow-Margined Water Scavenger Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Big-headed Tiger Beetle | Yellow-Margined Water Scavenger Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megacephala virginica | Hydrochara caraboides |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Carabidae | Hydrophilidae |
| Size | 18-24 mm | 14-18 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Scavengers |
| Regions | Southeastern United States | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Big-headed Tiger Beetle
A nocturnal tiger beetle with a disproportionately large head and long curved mandibles. It is dark brown to black and hunts on sandy riverbanks after dark.
Did You Know?
Unlike most tiger beetles that hunt by day, this species is strictly nocturnal and is attracted to artificial lights near sandy habitats.
Yellow-Margined Water Scavenger Beetle
A large dark water scavenger beetle with yellowish margins on the pronotum. It inhabits well-vegetated ponds and is declining in parts of northern Europe.
Did You Know?
Larvae are fierce predators that dispatch prey much larger than themselves, including tadpoles.