Brassy Willow Beetle vs Dry Fork Valley Cave Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Brassy Willow Beetle | Dry Fork Valley Cave Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phratora vitellinae | Pseudanophthalmus montanus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 4-5 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Caves |
| Diet | Detritivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Northern Asia | United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
Brassy Willow Beetle
A small, shiny metallic bronze to greenish beetle that feeds on willow and poplar. Adults overwinter in leaf litter and emerge in spring to colonize new willow growth.
Did You Know?
Larvae secrete salicylaldehyde, a chemical obtained from salicin in willow leaves, which smells like antiseptic and deters predators.
Dry Fork Valley Cave Beetle
A cave-obligate beetle from the Dry Fork Valley region of West Virginia. Like all members of its genus, it is completely eyeless.
Did You Know?
It can only survive in the constant-temperature deep zones of caves.