Provencal Burnet vs Metallic Green Leaf Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Provencal Burnet Metallic Green Leaf Beetle
Scientific Name Zygaena occitanica Plagiodera versicolora
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Zygaenidae Chrysomelidae
Size Wingspan 25-35mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Heathland Wetlands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, Africa Europe, Asia, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Provencal Burnet

A small day-flying moth with dark blue-green metallic forewings bearing red spots and bright red hindwings. It contains hydrogen cyanide for defense.

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Did You Know?

Both adults and larvae contain cyanide compounds making them toxic to birds and other predators at all life stages.

Metallic Green Leaf Beetle

A small, rounded beetle with shiny metallic blue-green to dark green elytra. It is one of the most common willow-feeding beetles in the Northern Hemisphere.

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Did You Know?

It can produce multiple generations per year and may overwinter as adults in bark crevices and leaf litter near willow stands.