Larger Elm Leaf Beetle vs Australian Tiger Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Larger Elm Leaf Beetle Australian Tiger Beetle
Scientific Name Monocesta coryli Cicindela hudsoni
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Cicindelidae
Size 12-16 mm 18-22 mm
Habitat Woodlands Deserts & Drylands
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Eastern North America Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Larger Elm Leaf Beetle

A robust, bright yellowish-orange beetle with darker wing tips that feeds on a variety of deciduous trees. When handled, it can release a blistering chemical secretion.

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Did You Know?

Its hemolymph contains cantharidin-like compounds that can cause skin blisters on contact, an unusual defense for a leaf beetle.

Australian Tiger Beetle

The fastest running insect on Earth, clocked at 2.5 meters per second (9 km/h). At 125 body lengths per second, it moves so fast it temporarily goes blind while running.

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Did You Know?

This beetle runs so fast that its visual system cannot keep up — it must stop periodically to relocate its prey because its eyes blur during full-speed sprints.