Forest Caterpillar Hunter vs Passalid Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Forest Caterpillar Hunter | Passalid Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Calosoma sycophanta | Pharochilus dilatatus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Carabidae | Passalidae |
| Size | 25-35 mm | 25-35 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Forests |
| Diet | Predators | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa; introduced to North America | Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Did You Know?
A single beetle can consume over 300 caterpillars during its larval and adult life.
Passalid Beetle
A large, glossy black beetle that lives in family groups inside rotting logs. Adults and larvae communicate using squeaking sounds produced by rubbing body parts together.
Did You Know?
Parents chew wood into pulp to feed their young, making them one of few beetles with true parental care.