Iron Cross Blister Beetle vs Bordered Great Diving Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Iron Cross Blister Beetle | Bordered Great Diving Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tegrodera aloga | Dytiscus circumflexus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Meloidae | Dytiscidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm | 28-34 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Southwestern United States, Mexico | Europe |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Near Threatened |
Iron Cross Blister Beetle
A striking beetle with bright yellow and black cross-shaped markings on its elytra. It contains cantharidin, a potent blistering agent.
Did You Know?
Swarms occasionally emerge in massive numbers after favorable spring rains in the desert.
Bordered Great Diving Beetle
A large British diving beetle similar to D. marginalis but with expanded yellow margins. It prefers larger, more permanent water bodies.
Did You Know?
Females have deeply grooved elytra while males have smooth ones, making the sexes easy to distinguish.