Green Milkweed Leaf Beetle vs Helena Olive Wireworm Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Green Milkweed Leaf Beetle | Helena Olive Wireworm Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Labidomera clivicollis | Tarphius wollastoni |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Zopheridae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 0.3-0.6 cm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Forests |
| Diet | Herbivores | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | North America | St. Helena |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Critically Endangered |
Green Milkweed Leaf Beetle
A large, handsome beetle with blue-black elytra marked with orange to cream-colored spots and a blue-black pronotum. It is commonly found on milkweed plants across North America.
Did You Know?
Like monarch butterflies, this beetle sequesters toxic cardiac glycosides from milkweed, and its bold coloration warns predators of its unpalatability.
Helena Olive Wireworm Beetle
A small beetle endemic to St. Helena in the South Atlantic. It is associated with decaying endemic gumwood trees.
Did You Know?
St. Helena's native gumwood forests have been reduced to a few tiny remnant patches since colonization.