Feathered Thorn vs Agonum Marsh Ground Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Feathered Thorn Agonum Marsh Ground Beetle
Scientific Name Colotois pennaria Agonum marginatum
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Geometridae Carabidae
Size 40-50 mm wingspan 8-11 mm
Habitat Underground Wetlands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, western Asia Europe, northern Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Feathered Thorn

An autumn-flying moth with warm orange-brown wings and males bearing dramatically feathered antennae. It flies late in the year when few other moths are active.

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Did You Know?

Males use their enormous feathered antennae to detect female pheromones on cold autumn nights.

Agonum Marsh Ground Beetle

A medium-sized metallic green ground beetle with pale-margined elytra found exclusively in wetland habitats. It runs rapidly on wet mud and vegetation near water.

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Did You Know?

It is so dependent on wetlands that its presence or absence is used by ecologists as an indicator of wetland habitat quality and hydrological integrity.