Creek Pacer Ground Beetle vs Hornet Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Creek Pacer Ground Beetle Hornet Moth
Scientific Name Chlaenius tricolor Sesia apiformis
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Carabidae Sesiidae
Size 10-14 mm 33-48 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Wood Feeders
Regions North America, from Canada to the southern United States Europe, Asia
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.

Hornet Moth

A clearwing moth that is a near-perfect mimic of the European hornet.

💡

Did You Know?

It even buzzes and moves its abdomen like a hornet when disturbed.