Mexican Bean Beetle vs Black Caterpillar Hunter
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mexican Bean Beetle | Black Caterpillar Hunter |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Epilachna varivestis | Calosoma sayi |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Coccinellidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 6-8 mm | 20-28 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Grasslands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Predators |
| Regions | North America, Central America | Central and western North America |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Mexican Bean Beetle
One of the few plant-feeding ladybird beetles, recognized by its copper color and eight black spots per wing cover. Both adults and larvae skeletonize bean leaves.
Did You Know?
Unlike most ladybugs which are beneficial predators, the Mexican bean beetle is a destructive crop pest.
Black Caterpillar Hunter
A large, entirely black caterpillar hunter beetle native to North American prairies and grasslands. It is a powerful runner that hunts caterpillars, especially cutworms, at night.
Did You Know?
Pioneer farmers on the Great Plains observed massive aggregations of this beetle appearing after rain to hunt cutworm outbreaks and called them rain beetles or thunderbugs.