Sumac Flea Beetle vs Black Clock Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sumac Flea Beetle Black Clock Beetle
Scientific Name Blepharida rhois Pterostichus madidus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Carabidae
Size 6-8 mm 14-18 mm
Habitat Heathland Gardens
Diet Herbivores Predators
Regions Eastern North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Sumac Flea Beetle

A relatively large flea beetle with a mottled brown and tan pattern providing excellent camouflage on sumac bark. Despite its size, it retains the powerful jumping ability of flea beetles.

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Did You Know?

Larvae of this beetle carry a shield of their own excrement mixed with toxic compounds from their sumac host plant.

Black Clock Beetle

A common nocturnal ground beetle found throughout European gardens and farmland. It is jet black and a voracious predator of slugs and pest insects.

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Did You Know?

Gardeners consider it one of the most beneficial beetles because a single individual can eat its body weight in slug eggs every night.