Klamath Weed Beetle vs North American Brown Lacewing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Klamath Weed Beetle North American Brown Lacewing
Scientific Name Chrysolina quadrigemina Hemerobius ovalis
Order Coleoptera Neuroptera
Family Chrysomelidae Hemerobiidae
Size 5-7 mm 9-13 mm wingspan
Habitat Grasslands Woodlands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe (native), introduced to North America, Australia Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Klamath Weed Beetle

A dark bronze to coppery-brown beetle with a convex, heavily punctured body. It was introduced to control the invasive Klamath weed (St. John's wort) and became a classic biocontrol success story.

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Did You Know?

Its introduction to California in the 1940s reduced Klamath weed infestations by over 99%, saving millions of acres of rangeland.

North American Brown Lacewing

A common brown lacewing of North American deciduous forests. Frequently encountered on foliage in eastern woodlands during summer.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the most commonly collected hemerobiids in Malaise trap surveys across eastern forests.