Common Black Ground Beetle vs Common Antlion
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Black Ground Beetle | Common Antlion |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterostichus melanarius | Myrmeleon immaculatus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Carabidae | Myrmeleontidae |
| Size | 12-18 mm | 30-45 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Gardens | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Introduced to North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Black Ground Beetle
One of the most abundant ground beetles in European farmland and gardens. It is a generalist predator active mainly at night.
Did You Know?
It is one of the most commonly caught beetles in pitfall traps across Europe.
Common Antlion
A delicate lacewing-like insect whose larvae are famous pit-trap predators. Adults are nocturnal and resemble slender damselflies.
Did You Know?
The larva flicks sand grains at prey to knock them back into its funnel-shaped pit trap.