Thistle Tortoise Beetle vs Clock Ground Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Thistle Tortoise Beetle | Clock Ground Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cassida rubiginosa | Amara aenea |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 6-8 mm | 6-9 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Herbivores | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, introduced to New Zealand and North America | Europe, Asia, Introduced to North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Thistle Tortoise Beetle
A pale green to yellowish-brown tortoise beetle with a somewhat flattened, circular body. It has been used as a biocontrol agent against invasive thistles in several countries.
Did You Know?
It was deliberately introduced to New Zealand and Canada as a biological control agent to combat invasive thistle species.
Clock Ground Beetle
A small, bronze-colored ground beetle extremely common across the Palearctic region. It is a mixed feeder consuming both seeds and small invertebrates.
Did You Know?
Its common name comes from the old English practice of placing beetles on a clock face to tell fortunes.