Tellkampf's Cave Beetle vs Hispine Rolled-leaf Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tellkampf's Cave Beetle | Hispine Rolled-leaf Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Neaphaenops tellkampfi | Cephaloleia vagelineata |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Carabidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 4-7 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Forests |
| Diet | Predators | Herbivores |
| Regions | United States | Central America, northern South America |
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
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.
Hispine Rolled-leaf Beetle
A flattened, elongate beetle adapted to living inside rolled-up young leaves of Heliconia plants. Its body is dorsoventrally compressed, allowing it to slide between tightly furled leaf surfaces.
Did You Know?
These beetles have an intimate relationship with rolled leaves, spending their entire adult lives inside the tightly furled growing points of tropical plants.