European Powderpost Beetle vs Common Black Ground Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute European Powderpost Beetle Common Black Ground Beetle
Scientific Name Lyctus linearis Pterostichus melanarius
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Bostrichidae Carabidae
Size 2.5–5 mm 12-18 mm
Habitat Woodlands Gardens
Diet Wood Feeders Predators
Regions Europe, North Africa Europe, Introduced to North America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

European Powderpost Beetle

A common European powderpost beetle that infests dry hardwood. It is a significant pest of stored timber and wooden artifacts.

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Did You Know?

Females will only lay eggs in wood with a starch content above 3%, which they test by tasting the surface.

Common Black Ground Beetle

One of the most abundant ground beetles in European farmland and gardens. It is a generalist predator active mainly at night.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the most commonly caught beetles in pitfall traps across Europe.