Whirligig Beetle vs Sumatran Neon Jewel Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Whirligig Beetle Sumatran Neon Jewel Beetle
Scientific Name Gyrinus natator Chrysochroa rajah
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Gyrinidae Buprestidae
Size 5-7 mm 35-50 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Forests
Diet Predators Wood Feeders
Regions Europe Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Indonesia)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Whirligig Beetle

A small, oval, shiny black beetle that spins in rapid circles on the water surface. Its eyes are divided in two, allowing it to see above and below water simultaneously.

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Did You Know?

Whirligig beetles have uniquely split compound eyes, with one pair looking above the waterline and another pair looking below it at the same time.

Sumatran Neon Jewel Beetle

An extraordinarily vibrant jewel beetle with iridescent green elytra bearing a wide metallic golden-red stripe down each side. The ventral surface shines with metallic blue-green tones.

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Did You Know?

Its elytra are among the most sought-after in the jewel beetle trade and have been used in traditional metalwork jewelry for centuries.