Metallic Eumolpine Beetle vs Spring Dor Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Metallic Eumolpine Beetle Spring Dor Beetle
Scientific Name Chrysochus asclepiadeus Geotrupes vernalis
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Scarabaeidae
Size 8-10 mm 12-20 mm
Habitat Mountains Heathland
Diet Herbivores Dung Feeders
Regions Southern and Central Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Metallic Eumolpine Beetle

A brilliant metallic dark blue to violet beetle closely related to the North American dogbane beetles. It is found on vincetoxicum and other Asclepiadaceae in the mountains of Europe.

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Did You Know?

Like its North American relatives on milkweed, it sequesters toxic cardiac glycosides from its host plant to deter predators.

Spring Dor Beetle

A medium-sized, metallic blue-green to violet dung beetle active in spring. Unlike other dor beetles, the metallic coloration is visible dorsally. It digs deep burrows provisioned with dung for its larvae.

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Did You Know?

Despite its name, this beetle is actually most active in autumn in many parts of its range.