Western Pine Beetle vs Paroster Subterranean Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Western Pine Beetle Paroster Subterranean Beetle
Scientific Name Dendroctonus brevicomis Paroster macrosturtensis
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Curculionidae Dytiscidae
Size 3-5 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Forests Deserts & Drylands
Diet Wood Feeders Omnivores
Regions Western United States from British Columbia to Mexico Australia
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Western Pine Beetle

A small dark brown bark beetle that attacks ponderosa pine trees. It is one of the most destructive bark beetles in western forests.

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Did You Know?

It uses aggregation pheromones to coordinate mass attacks that can overwhelm a healthy tree's resin defenses.

Paroster Subterranean Beetle

A blind subterranean diving beetle from groundwater calcretes in the Western Australian arid zone. It is completely depigmented and lacks functional eyes.

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Did You Know?

Multiple species of subterranean Paroster have evolved independently in isolated aquifers.