Blister Beetle vs Golden Ground Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Blister Beetle Golden Ground Beetle
Scientific Name Epicauta vittata Carabus auratus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Meloidae Carabidae
Size 12-20 mm 20-30 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions North America Western Europe
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Blister Beetle

A striped black and yellow beetle that releases cantharidin, a chemical causing painful skin blisters. It is a pest of tomatoes and potatoes.

💡

Did You Know?

Horses can die from eating hay contaminated with just a few crushed blister beetles.

Golden Ground Beetle

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

💡

Did You Know?

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