Cobalt Milkweed Beetle vs Marsh Treader

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cobalt Milkweed Beetle Marsh Treader
Scientific Name Chrysochus cobaltinus auratus Hydrometra stagnorum
Order Coleoptera Hemiptera
Family Chrysomelidae Hydrometridae
Size 8-11mm 9-12 mm
Habitat Meadows Ponds & Lakes
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions North America Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Cobalt Milkweed Beetle

A subspecies of the cobalt blue milkweed beetle with slightly more golden-green coloring.

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Did You Know?

The metallic blue and green coloring warns predators that it has sequestered toxic compounds from milkweed.

Marsh Treader

An extremely slender, stick-like bug with a greatly elongated head. It walks slowly across floating vegetation and water surfaces at pond margins, probing for tiny prey.

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Did You Know?

Its elongated head and rostrum give it a bizarre twig-like appearance, providing excellent camouflage among vegetation.