Flat Bark Hister Beetle vs Darling Underwing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Flat Bark Hister Beetle Darling Underwing
Scientific Name Hololepta plana Catocala cara
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Histeridae Erebidae
Size 7-10 mm 75-90 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions Eastern North America Eastern North America from Canada to the southeastern United States
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Flat Bark Hister Beetle

An extremely flattened, disc-like black beetle found under bark of dead trees. Its body is compressed to fit in the narrow space between bark and wood.

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Did You Know?

Its body is so flat it can squeeze into gaps less than 2 mm wide to pursue prey under tight-fitting bark.

Darling Underwing

A large underwing moth with cryptic gray-brown forewings and striking pinkish-red hindwings banded with black. It is commonly attracted to sugaring baits.

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Did You Know?

Its Latin name cara means 'darling' or 'beloved,' referencing the beautiful pink hindwings hidden under its bark-like forewings.