Case-bearing Leaf Beetle vs Black Burying Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Case-bearing Leaf Beetle Black Burying Beetle
Scientific Name Cryptocephalus sericeus Nicrophorus humator
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Silphidae
Size 6-8 mm 18-26mm
Habitat Meadows Hedgerows
Diet Herbivores Carrion Feeders
Regions Europe, Western Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Case-bearing Leaf Beetle

A brilliant metallic green to golden beetle with a cylindrical body shape typical of case-bearing chrysomelids. Adults are commonly found on flowers and leaves in sunny meadows.

💡

Did You Know?

Larvae construct a protective case from their own fecal material, which they carry around and enlarge as they grow, much like caddisfly larvae.

Black Burying Beetle

A large all-black burying beetle with orange-tipped antennae. It buries animal carcasses for its larvae.

💡

Did You Know?

One of the largest burying beetles in Europe and can inter a mouse-sized carcass in just a few hours.