Japanese Tiger Beetle vs Icelandic Water Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Tiger Beetle Icelandic Water Beetle
Scientific Name Cicindela japonica Agabus bipustulatus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Cicindelidae Dytiscidae
Size 16-20 mm 9-12 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Tundra & Arctic
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions Japan, Korea, Eastern China Iceland, Scandinavia, northern Russia, subarctic Europe, Arctic Canada
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Japanese Tiger Beetle

A common and widespread tiger beetle across Japan with variable coloring from green to coppery brown. It frequents sunny paths and open ground.

💡

Did You Know?

In Japanese it is called hanzomushi, named after the famous ninja Hattori Hanzo because of its elusive speed.

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.