Eastern Hercules Beetle vs Redbay Ambrosia Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Eastern Hercules Beetle Redbay Ambrosia Beetle
Scientific Name Dynastes tityus Xyleborus glabratus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Dynastinae Curculionidae (Scolytinae)
Size 40-60 mm 1.8–2.4 mm
Habitat Woodlands Forests
Diet Sap Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Eastern United States Southeastern United States, Southeast Asia
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Eastern Hercules Beetle

The largest beetle in North America, with males bearing a large pronotal horn. Elytra are greenish-yellow with dark mottling.

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Did You Know?

Their elytra change color depending on humidity levels, becoming darker when moist.

Redbay Ambrosia Beetle

An invasive beetle from Southeast Asia that vectors laurel wilt disease in the Americas. It bores into healthy trees of the laurel family.

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Did You Know?

It has devastated redbay tree populations across the southeastern US and now threatens the avocado industry.