Fleabane Tortoise Beetle vs Tunnel Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Fleabane Tortoise Beetle Tunnel Beetle
Scientific Name Cassida murraea Lymexylon navale
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Lymexylidae
Size 5-6 mm 7-16mm
Habitat Wetlands Woodlands
Diet Herbivores Wood Feeders
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Fleabane Tortoise Beetle

A striking red-brown and black tortoise beetle associated with fleabane plants. Has characteristic dark markings on the transparent shield margin. Found in damp habitats.

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Did You Know?

The larvae cover themselves with their own excrement and shed skins as a defensive shield.

Tunnel Beetle

A slender cylindrical beetle whose larvae bore straight tunnels through oak timber. Historically damaged ship timber.

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Did You Know?

Was a major pest of oak shipbuilding timber, boring tunnels that weakened the hulls of wooden warships.