Creek Pacer Ground Beetle vs Giant Stonefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Creek Pacer Ground Beetle | Giant Stonefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chlaenius tricolor | Pteronarcys californica |
| Order | Coleoptera | Plecoptera |
| Family | Carabidae | Pteronarcyidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 30-50 mm body |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America, from Canada to the southern United States | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Creek Pacer Ground Beetle
A handsome ground beetle with bright metallic green elytra, a bluish pronotum, and reddish-brown legs. It is commonly found near streams and rivers across North America.
Did You Know?
Like other Chlaenius species, it produces a strong, distinctive odor from defensive glands that some collectors describe as smelling like leather or wet dog.
Giant Stonefly
Large aquatic insects whose nymphs require pristine, cold, oxygen-rich streams. Adults are poor fliers and stay near water. Important food source for trout.
Did You Know?
Stonefly nymphs are so sensitive to water pollution that their presence is used by scientists as a living indicator of water quality — no stoneflies means polluted water.