Northern Ground Beetle vs Palpares Antlion

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Northern Ground Beetle Palpares Antlion
Scientific Name Pelophila borealis Palpares immensus
Order Coleoptera Neuroptera
Family Carabidae Myrmeleontidae
Size 10-14 mm 100-140 mm wingspan
Habitat Tundra & Arctic Deserts & Drylands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada, Alaska Southern Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Northern Ground Beetle

A medium-sized, dark metallic green or bronze ground beetle with long legs. It is an active predator on riverbanks and lakeshores in Arctic regions. Adults run rapidly across muddy substrates hunting small invertebrates.

💡

Did You Know?

This beetle can withstand brief submersion in near-freezing water and quickly resumes hunting once it reaches dry ground.

Palpares Antlion

An enormous antlion from sub-Saharan Africa with strikingly patterned wings. Among the largest flying neuropterans on the continent.

💡

Did You Know?

Its wingspan can reach 14 cm, rivaling some small dragonflies in size.