Palmetto Tortoise Beetle vs North American Hide Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Palmetto Tortoise Beetle | North American Hide Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hemisphaerota cyanea | Trox scaber |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Trogidae |
| Size | 8-10 mm | 5-9 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Woodlands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | Southeastern United States | North America, Europe |
| 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.
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.
Did You Know?
Forensic entomologists use the presence of hide beetles to estimate time since death in very old remains.