Giant Black Water Beetle vs Pine Chafer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Black Water Beetle Pine Chafer
Scientific Name Hydrophilus triangularis Polyphylla fullo
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Hydrophilidae Scarabaeidae
Size 34-40 mm 25-36mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Beaches & Coastal
Diet Predators Root Feeders
Regions North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Giant Black Water Beetle

The largest water beetle in North America, with a shiny black oval body. Larvae are voracious predators while adults are mainly plant feeders.

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Did You Know?

It carries a bubble of air beneath its body like a silvery film, which it replenishes at the surface.

Pine Chafer

A large brown chafer beetle with white marbled markings on its elytra. Males have enormous fan-shaped antennae with seven lamellae.

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Did You Know?

When handled it produces a loud hissing sound by rubbing its abdomen against its wing cases which can startle predators.