Common Water Penny vs Cockchafer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Water Penny | Cockchafer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Psephenus herricki | Melolontha melolontha |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Psephenidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm (adults); 6-10 mm (larvae) | 25-30 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Western Europe, Central Europe, Northern Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Water Penny
A small aquatic beetle whose larvae are flattened and round like a copper penny, clinging to rocks in fast streams. Adults are terrestrial and short-lived.
Did You Know?
Larvae are so flat they can cling to rocks in torrential currents that would wash away most other insects.
Cockchafer
A large, clumsy-flying chafer beetle that emerges en masse on warm May evenings. Its white C-shaped larvae are familiar agricultural pests across Europe.
Did You Know?
In medieval Europe, cockchafer swarms were so destructive that they were once put on trial in court.