Waterlily Leaf Beetle vs Mammoth Cave Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Waterlily Leaf Beetle | Mammoth Cave Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Galerucella nymphaeae | Xenotrechus condei |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Caves |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Northern Asia | United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
Waterlily Leaf Beetle
A small, brown leaf beetle that feeds on the upper surfaces of waterlily pads. It creates distinctive feeding grooves across floating leaves.
Did You Know?
Although it feeds on aquatic plants, the beetle cannot swim and will drown if it falls off a lily pad into open water.
Mammoth Cave Beetle
A rare troglobitic ground beetle known from caves in the Ozark region of Missouri. It is eyeless with greatly elongated appendages.
Did You Know?
It was not discovered until 1987, despite extensive surveys of Missouri caves.