Palmetto Tortoise Beetle vs Cottonwood Borer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Palmetto Tortoise Beetle | Cottonwood Borer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hemisphaerota cyanea | Plectrodera scalator |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Cerambycidae |
| Size | 8-10 mm | 25-40 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Herbivores | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Southeastern United States | Central and eastern United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Palmetto Tortoise Beetle
A round, blue-black tortoise beetle found on palm fronds in the southeastern United States. It can grip surfaces with extraordinary tenacity.
Did You Know?
It uses thousands of microscopic oil-secreting bristles on its feet to create adhesion forces 60 times its own body weight.
Cottonwood Borer
A large longhorn beetle with bold black and white patterning and long antennae. Its larvae bore into the roots and lower trunks of cottonwood and willow trees.
Did You Know?
When handled, it produces a loud squeaking sound by rubbing parts of its thorax together.