Woodland Pterostichus vs Banded Fungus Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Woodland Pterostichus Banded Fungus Beetle
Scientific Name Pterostichus oblongopunctatus Triplax russica
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Carabidae Erotylidae
Size 9-13 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Predators Fungus Feeders
Regions Europe, from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Woodland Pterostichus

A medium-sized, shiny black ground beetle with distinctive oblong punctures in rows on its elytra. It is one of the most characteristic carabid species of European deciduous forests.

💡

Did You Know?

It is used as a bioindicator species for ancient woodland health; its presence is associated with undisturbed forest with deep leaf litter.

Banded Fungus Beetle

A small, attractively colored beetle with a red thorax and dark blue-black elytra. Lives on bracket fungi on dead trees. Part of a family known for bright coloring.

💡

Did You Know?

The contrasting red and blue-black coloring makes this one of the most attractive fungus beetles.