Kentucky Cave Beetle vs Pine Chafer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Kentucky Cave Beetle Pine Chafer
Scientific Name Darlingtonea kentuckensis Polyphylla fullo
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Carabidae Scarabaeidae
Size 5-6 mm 25-36mm
Habitat Caves Beaches & Coastal
Diet Omnivores Root Feeders
Regions United States Europe
Conservation Vulnerable Near Threatened

Kentucky Cave Beetle

A troglobitic ground beetle found in caves along Kentucky's Cumberland Plateau. It is eyeless with elongated appendages typical of cave life.

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Did You Know?

Populations in different caves show significant genetic isolation from one another.

Pine Chafer

A large brown chafer beetle with white marbled markings on its elytra. Males have enormous fan-shaped antennae with seven lamellae.

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Did You Know?

When handled it produces a loud hissing sound by rubbing its abdomen against its wing cases which can startle predators.