Painted Reed Beetle vs Broad-Toothed Scarab

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Painted Reed Beetle Broad-Toothed Scarab
Scientific Name Plateumaris sericea Scarabaeus laticollis
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Scarabaeidae
Size 7-10 mm 15-22 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Heathland
Diet Root Feeders Dung Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia Southern Europe, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Painted Reed Beetle

A brilliantly metallic leaf beetle found on aquatic plants, varying from green to blue, copper, or purple. Larvae feed on submerged root systems.

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Did You Know?

Larvae breathe underwater by tapping into the air channels of aquatic plant roots.

Broad-Toothed Scarab

A medium-sized, glossy black roller dung beetle with a broad pronotum and strong clypeal teeth. Common across Mediterranean regions, it rolls balls from sheep and goat dung. Most active in afternoon heat.

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Did You Know?

In ancient Greece, this species was likely confused with the sacred scarab and may have inspired some mythological accounts.