Icelandic Water Beetle vs Hildebrand's Jewel Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Icelandic Water Beetle | Hildebrand's Jewel Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Agabus bipustulatus | Sternocera hildebrandti |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Dytiscidae | Buprestidae |
| Size | 9-12 mm | 30-50 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Predators | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Iceland, Scandinavia, northern Russia, subarctic Europe, Arctic Canada | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Icelandic Water Beetle
A medium-sized, oval, dark brown diving beetle found in cold ponds and lakes. It carries a silvery air bubble under its elytra for breathing underwater. Adults are strong fliers and can colonize isolated Arctic ponds.
Did You Know?
This beetle is one of the most widespread diving beetles in the Arctic and can fly long distances to colonize new ponds created by permafrost thaw.
Hildebrand's Jewel Beetle
A large, robust jewel beetle with a deep metallic green body covered in fine punctures. It emerges in large numbers after seasonal rains in semi-arid areas.
Did You Know?
Its metallic coloration is so vivid that dead specimens retain their brilliance for decades, making them prized by collectors.