Douglas-fir Beetle vs Blue Death-feigning Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Douglas-fir Beetle | Blue Death-feigning Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dendroctonus pseudotsugae | Asbolus verrucosus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Curculionidae | Tenebrionidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 18-21mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Detritivores |
| Regions | Western North America from British Columbia to Mexico | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Douglas-fir Beetle
A dark reddish-brown bark beetle that attacks Douglas-fir trees, particularly those weakened by drought or windthrow. It is among the most damaging bark beetles in the Pacific Northwest.
Did You Know?
It preferentially attacks fallen or stressed trees, but during outbreaks it can kill large numbers of healthy standing trees.
Blue Death-feigning Beetle
A rounded blue-grey desert beetle covered in a waxy powder-blue coating. When threatened it flips onto its back and plays dead with legs extended stiffly.
Did You Know?
Its death-feigning behavior is so convincing that predators lose interest and the beetle can remain motionless for hours.