Common Black Ground Beetle vs Springfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Black Ground Beetle Springfly
Scientific Name Pterostichus melanarius Isoperla signata
Order Coleoptera Plecoptera
Family Carabidae Perlodidae
Size 12-18 mm 9-13 mm
Habitat Gardens Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe, Introduced to North America Europe
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.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the most commonly caught beetles in pitfall traps across Europe.

Springfly

A spring-emerging stonefly of fast-flowing European streams. Nymphs are active hunters that pursue prey among streambed gravels.

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Did You Know?

Males locate females by producing species-specific vibrations that travel through the substrate.