South American Darkling Beetle vs Pear Psylla

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute South American Darkling Beetle Pear Psylla
Scientific Name Zophobas morio Cacopsylla pyri
Order Coleoptera Hemiptera
Family Tenebrionidae Psyllidae
Size 18-25 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Woodlands Orchards
Diet Fruit Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Brazil, Central America, northern South America Europe, Western North America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

South American Darkling Beetle

A large shiny black darkling beetle widely distributed across tropical South America. Its larvae, known as superworms, are commonly used as animal feed.

💡

Did You Know?

Its larvae can digest polystyrene plastic thanks to gut bacteria, making them subjects of biodegradation research.

Pear Psylla

A small winged psyllid that is the most important insect pest of European pear orchards. Nymphs produce copious honeydew that causes fruit russeting and sooty mold.

💡

Did You Know?

It can inject a toxin while feeding that causes a condition called psylla shock, which can kill young pear trees.