Checkered Beetle vs Black Caterpillar Hunter
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Checkered Beetle | Black Caterpillar Hunter |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Trichodes apiarius | Calosoma sayi |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Cleridae | Carabidae |
| Size | 9-16 mm | 20-28 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Grasslands |
| Diet | Parasites | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa | Central and western North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Checkered Beetle
A brightly colored red and blue beetle often found on flowers. Its larvae are parasites of solitary bee nests.
Did You Know?
Females lay eggs near bee nests so larvae can invade and consume the bee brood.
Black Caterpillar Hunter
A large, entirely black caterpillar hunter beetle native to North American prairies and grasslands. It is a powerful runner that hunts caterpillars, especially cutworms, at night.
Did You Know?
Pioneer farmers on the Great Plains observed massive aggregations of this beetle appearing after rain to hunt cutworm outbreaks and called them rain beetles or thunderbugs.