Denticulate Soldier Beetle vs Lined Flat Bark Ground Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Denticulate Soldier Beetle Lined Flat Bark Ground Beetle
Scientific Name Silis percomis Platynus decentis
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Cantharidae Carabidae
Size 5-8 mm 10-13 mm
Habitat Grasslands Forests
Diet Pollen Feeders Predators
Regions Central North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Denticulate Soldier Beetle

A small, rarely noticed soldier beetle found in grasslands of the midwestern United States. Males have distinctive tooth-like projections on their antennae.

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Did You Know?

The serrated antennae of males are unique among North American soldier beetles and aid in detecting pheromones.

Lined Flat Bark Ground Beetle

A medium-sized, flattened ground beetle with a sleek black body and fine striations on its elytra. It is commonly found under bark and in forest floor debris.

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Did You Know?

Its extremely flattened body allows it to squeeze under tight-fitting bark on fallen logs, where it hunts prey that other predators cannot reach.