Passalid Beetle vs Alder Leaf Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Passalid Beetle | Alder Leaf Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pharochilus dilatatus | Agelastica alni |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Passalidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 25-35 mm | 6-7 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Australia | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Passalid Beetle
A large, glossy black beetle that lives in family groups inside rotting logs. Adults and larvae communicate using squeaking sounds produced by rubbing body parts together.
Did You Know?
Parents chew wood into pulp to feed their young, making them one of few beetles with true parental care.
Alder Leaf Beetle
A metallic dark violet-blue beetle that feeds on alder trees. Heavy infestations can completely defoliate alder trees along waterways.
Did You Know?
After being absent from Britain for decades, it dramatically recolonised southern England in the early 2000s.