Haldeman's Tumbling Flower Beetle vs Small Heath Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Haldeman's Tumbling Flower Beetle Small Heath Butterfly
Scientific Name Mordella haldemani Coenonympha pamphilus
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Mordellidae Nymphalidae
Size 3-5 mm 26-33 mm wingspan
Habitat Meadows Grasslands
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Eastern North America Europe, North Africa, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Haldeman's Tumbling Flower Beetle

A small black tumbling flower beetle found in eastern North America. It is commonly seen on composite flowers in summer meadows.

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Did You Know?

Its spine-tipped abdomen acts as a spring-loaded lever that launches the beetle into the air when disturbed.

Small Heath Butterfly

A small, plain orange-brown butterfly that always rests with its wings closed. It is one of the most widespread grassland butterflies in Europe.

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Did You Know?

It never opens its wings when at rest, always keeping the underwing eyespot visible as a predator deflection.