Spotted Asparagus Beetle vs Ambrosia Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spotted Asparagus Beetle Ambrosia Beetle
Scientific Name Crioceris duodecimpunctata Xyleborinus saxesenii
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Curculionidae
Size 6-7 mm 1.5-2.5 mm
Habitat Farmland Gardens
Diet Herbivores Fungus Feeders
Regions Europe, introduced to North America Europe, North America, Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

Spotted Asparagus Beetle

A reddish-orange beetle with twelve black spots on its elytra. It is a pest of asparagus, with larvae feeding inside the berries.

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Did You Know?

Unlike its relative the common asparagus beetle, its larvae feed inside the berries rather than on stems.

Ambrosia Beetle

A tiny wood-boring beetle that cultivates ambrosia fungi inside tree galleries as food. They live in cooperative family groups where daughters help maintain the fungus garden.

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Did You Know?

Daughter beetles delay dispersal to help their mother maintain and protect the fungus garden, a rare form of insect cooperation.