Forest Caterpillar Hunter vs Giant Web Spinner

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Forest Caterpillar Hunter Giant Web Spinner
Scientific Name Calosoma sycophanta Clothoda longicauda
Order Coleoptera Embioptera
Family Carabidae Clothodidae
Size 25-35 mm 15.0-25.0 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Predators Wood Feeders
Regions Europe, North Africa; introduced to North America South America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Forest Caterpillar Hunter

A large, brilliant metallic green and gold ground beetle that climbs trees to hunt caterpillars. It was introduced to North America for gypsy moth biocontrol.

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Did You Know?

A single beetle can consume over 300 caterpillars during its larval and adult life.

Giant Web Spinner

One of the largest web spinners, found in tropical South America. It has elongate cerci and builds extensive silk tunnel systems on trees.

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Did You Know?

The family Clothodidae is considered the most primitive living web spinner lineage, dating back over 100 million years.