Helvetian Ground Beetle vs Wheel Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Helvetian Ground Beetle | Wheel Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oreonebria castanea | Arilus cristatus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Carabidae | Reduviidae |
| Size | 8-11 mm | 28-36 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Orchards |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Alps, Pyrenees | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Helvetian Ground Beetle
A cold-adapted ground beetle of high-altitude scree and moraines. It is active during short alpine summers near snowmelt areas.
Did You Know?
It can remain active at temperatures just above freezing.
Wheel Bug
The largest assassin bug in North America, named for the distinctive cogwheel-shaped crest on its thorax. It delivers an extremely painful bite if handled.
Did You Know?
Its bite injects cytolytic venom that dissolves tissue, producing pain reported to be worse than a wasp sting lasting for days.