Colorado Soldier Beetle vs Grapevine Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Colorado Soldier Beetle Grapevine Beetle
Scientific Name Chauliognathus basalis Pelidnota punctata
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Cantharidae Scarabaeidae
Size 8-12mm 20-26 mm
Habitat Underground Orchards
Diet Predators Herbivores
Regions North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Colorado Soldier Beetle

A soft-bodied beetle with orange and brown elytra commonly found on flowers. It is an important pollinator and predator of small insects.

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Did You Know?

Soldier beetles produce toxic compounds called cantharidins in their blood that make them unpalatable to predators.

Grapevine Beetle

A handsome tan-colored scarab with dark spots on its elytra, found in eastern North America. Adults feed on grapevine foliage and are attracted to lights at night.

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Did You Know?

Despite its name, it rarely causes significant damage to commercial grapevines.