Nettle Root Weevil vs Margined Leatherwing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Nettle Root Weevil Margined Leatherwing
Scientific Name Phyllobius virideaeris Chauliognathus marginatus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Curculionidae Cantharidae
Size 3-5 mm 9-12 mm
Habitat Hedgerows Underground
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Nettle Root Weevil

A bright green-scaled weevil found on nettles and other vegetation in spring. Extremely common but the scales wear off with age revealing black cuticle. Adults chew leaf edges.

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Did You Know?

Fresh specimens are brilliant metallic green, but old worn individuals look like completely different black beetles.

Margined Leatherwing

An early-summer soldier beetle found across eastern North America with yellow elytra edged in dark margins. It visits a wide variety of flowers.

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Did You Know?

Unlike the similar goldenrod soldier beetle, this species appears in late spring rather than autumn.