Riffle Beetle vs Tellkampf's Cave Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Riffle Beetle | Tellkampf's Cave Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Elmis aenea | Neaphaenops tellkampfi |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Elmidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 1.5-2.5 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Caves |
| Diet | Detritivores | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
Riffle Beetle
A tiny, dark beetle that spends its entire adult life underwater clinging to rocks in riffles. It breathes using a plastron, a permanent thin film of air.
Did You Know?
Its plastron air film never needs replenishing, allowing it to remain permanently submerged.
Tellkampf's Cave Beetle
A predatory blind cave beetle endemic to Kentucky's Mammoth Cave region. It feeds primarily on eggs of cave crickets.
Did You Know?
It tracks down cave cricket eggs buried in sandy cave floors using chemical cues.