Green Christmas Beetle vs Common Water Penny

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Green Christmas Beetle Common Water Penny
Scientific Name Anoplognathus prasinus Psephenus herricki
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Psephenidae
Size 18-25 mm 4-6 mm (adults); 6-10 mm (larvae)
Habitat Woodlands Rivers & Streams
Diet Root Feeders Omnivores
Regions Australia Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Green Christmas Beetle

A metallic green scarab beetle found in eucalypt woodlands of eastern Australia. Adults emerge in large numbers during the warm summer months.

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Did You Know?

Heavy infestations can completely defoliate mature eucalyptus trees in a single season.

Common Water Penny

A small aquatic beetle whose larvae are flattened and round like a copper penny, clinging to rocks in fast streams. Adults are terrestrial and short-lived.

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Did You Know?

Larvae are so flat they can cling to rocks in torrential currents that would wash away most other insects.