Dark Soldier Beetle vs Wood White

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dark Soldier Beetle Wood White
Scientific Name Cantharis obscura Leptidea sinapis
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Cantharidae Pieridae
Size 9-13 mm 36-48 mm wingspan
Habitat Meadows Meadows
Diet Pollen Feeders Omnivores
Regions Europe Europe, western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Dark Soldier Beetle

A dark-colored European soldier beetle often found on umbelliferous flowers. Its entirely dark elytra distinguish it from the more colorful soldier beetle species.

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Did You Know?

Larvae are velvety black and hunt small invertebrates among leaf litter throughout the winter months.

Wood White

A delicate, fluttery butterfly with rounded white wings and a small grey wingtip patch. It has a weak, dancing flight close to the ground.

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Did You Know?

It was recently discovered to be a complex of three cryptic species indistinguishable by appearance alone.