Colorado Potato Beetle vs Giant Darkling Beetle of St. Helena

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Colorado Potato Beetle Giant Darkling Beetle of St. Helena
Scientific Name Leptinotarsa decemlineata Hegeter politus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Tenebrionidae
Size 6-11 mm 1.5-2.5 cm
Habitat Farmland Heathland
Diet Herbivores Detritivores
Regions North America, Europe, Asia St. Helena
Conservation Least Concern Endangered

Colorado Potato Beetle

A major agricultural pest with yellow-orange elytra bearing ten black longitudinal stripes. Has developed resistance to over 50 different insecticides.

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Did You Know?

The Colorado potato beetle has evolved resistance to every major class of insecticide, making it one of the most adaptable pests in agricultural history.

Giant Darkling Beetle of St. Helena

A darkling beetle endemic to the remote island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic. It is nocturnal and hides under stones during the day.

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Did You Know?

St. Helena has over 400 endemic invertebrate species, many of which are found nowhere else.