Oil Beetle vs Jewel Beetle (Golden Castiarina)
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Oil Beetle | Jewel Beetle (Golden Castiarina) |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Meloe proscarabaeus | Castiarina aureola |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Meloidae | Buprestidae |
| Size | 15-35 mm | 8-14 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Heathland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Australia, Oceania |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Oil Beetle
A large, flightless beetle with shortened elytra and a swollen abdomen. It secretes an oily, blistering compound called cantharidin when threatened.
Did You Know?
Females can lay over 1,000 eggs, but larvae must hitch a ride on a solitary bee to survive.
Jewel Beetle (Golden Castiarina)
A dazzlingly coloured jewel beetle endemic to Australia, with a golden-yellow body adorned with dark markings. Australia's Castiarina genus is the most species-rich jewel beetle genus in the world.
Did You Know?
There are over 500 described species of Castiarina, making it one of the most diverse beetle genera on Earth.