Willow Calligrapha vs Black Caterpillar Hunter
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Willow Calligrapha | Black Caterpillar Hunter |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Calligrapha multipunctata bigsbyana | Calosoma sayi |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 7-9 mm | 20-28 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Predators |
| Regions | North America | Central and western North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Willow Calligrapha
A subspecies of Calligrapha with pale elytra marked with elongated dark spots and dashes. It is associated with willow trees along waterways in North America.
Did You Know?
Calligrapha beetles are a model system for studying pattern formation in biology, as no two individuals share the same elytral markings.
Black Caterpillar Hunter
A large, entirely black caterpillar hunter beetle native to North American prairies and grasslands. It is a powerful runner that hunts caterpillars, especially cutworms, at night.
Did You Know?
Pioneer farmers on the Great Plains observed massive aggregations of this beetle appearing after rain to hunt cutworm outbreaks and called them rain beetles or thunderbugs.