Downy Leatherwing vs Jewel Ground Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Downy Leatherwing Jewel Ground Beetle
Scientific Name Podabrus tomentosus Carabus auronitens
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Cantharidae Carabidae
Size 9-12 mm 22-30 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Forests
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions North America Central Europe, Western Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Downy Leatherwing

A North American soldier beetle covered in fine pubescence, found on flowers and foliage in summer. It is an effective predator of aphids and other small insects.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae are active predators in leaf litter and can even survive brief periods of freezing temperatures.

Jewel Ground Beetle

A strikingly beautiful ground beetle with bright gold and green metallic coloring. It inhabits mountain forests across central Europe.

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Did You Know?

Its brilliant golden color comes from microscopic surface structures that diffract light rather than from pigments.