Red Poplar Leaf Beetle vs Dobsonfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Red Poplar Leaf Beetle	Dobsonfly
Scientific Name	Chrysomela populi	Corydalus cornutus
Order	Coleoptera	Neuroptera
Family	Chrysomelidae	Corydalidae
Size	10-12 mm	40-55 mm body, 125 mm wingspan
Habitat	Rivers & Streams	Rivers & Streams
Diet	Herbivores	Omnivores
Regions	Europe, Asia	North America
Conservation	Least Concern	Least Concern

Red Poplar Leaf Beetle

A shiny red-orange beetle with a black head, commonly found on poplar and willow trees. Larvae release a pungent salicylaldehyde when disturbed.

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Did You Know?

Larvae convert compounds from willow leaves into a chemical that smells like almonds to deter predators.

Dobsonfly

Large insects with intimidating mandibles in males that are actually too large to bite effectively. Aquatic hellgrammite larvae are prized as fishing bait and indicate clean water.

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Did You Know?

Male dobsonflies have terrifying mandibles up to 40 mm long, but they are so large the males cannot actually generate enough force to pinch — the females bite harder.