Sharp-Grooved Diving Beetle vs Cowpea Weevil

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sharp-Grooved Diving Beetle Cowpea Weevil
Scientific Name Acilius sulcatus Callosobruchus maculatus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Dytiscidae Chrysomelidae
Size 15-18 mm 2-4 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Farmland
Diet Predators Seed Feeders
Regions Europe, Western Asia Africa (native), pantropical, cosmopolitan
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Sharp-Grooved Diving Beetle

A medium-sized diving beetle widespread across Europe, recognized by the deeply grooved elytra of females. It is a fast and agile predator in ponds.

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Did You Know?

Females have deeply furrowed elytra that prevent males from gripping them, giving them control over mating.

Cowpea Weevil

A small, reddish-brown to dark beetle with mottled elytra and a prominent pygidium bearing two dark spots. It is one of the most destructive pests of stored cowpeas and other pulses.

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Did You Know?

Females glue their eggs directly onto the surface of bean seeds, and the larvae bore into the seed immediately upon hatching.