Delta Green Ground Beetle vs Vedalia Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Delta Green Ground Beetle Vedalia Beetle
Scientific Name Elaphrus viridis Novius cardinalis
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Carabidae Coccinellidae
Size 0.6-0.8 cm 3-4 mm
Habitat Wetlands Orchards
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions United States Australia, Worldwide (introduced)
Conservation Endangered Least Concern

Delta Green Ground Beetle

A small metallic green ground beetle found only near vernal pools in Solano County, California. It is threatened by urban development and habitat loss.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the rarest beetles in North America, known from fewer than five locations.

Vedalia Beetle

A small red-and-black ladybird famous as the first successful biological control agent in history. It saved the California citrus industry from the cottony cushion scale in 1889.

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Did You Know?

Its introduction to California is considered the founding event of modern biological pest control.