North American Hide Beetle vs Blue Ground Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute North American Hide Beetle Blue Ground Beetle
Scientific Name Trox scaber Carabus intricatus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Trogidae Carabidae
Size 5-9 mm 24-36mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Carrion Feeders Predators
Regions North America, Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

North American Hide Beetle

A small, oval, grayish-brown beetle with heavily sculptured elytra covered in rows of bumps and encrusted soil. It specializes in consuming dried keratin-rich animal remains. Found in owl pellets, bird nests, and old carcasses.

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Did You Know?

Forensic entomologists use the presence of hide beetles to estimate time since death in very old remains.

Blue Ground Beetle

A large brilliant blue beetle with intricately sculptured elytra. It is a nocturnal predator of slugs and snails in ancient woodlands.

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Did You Know?

It is strongly associated with ancient woodlands and its presence is used as an indicator of forest ecological health.