Cardinal Beetle vs Eastern Bombardier Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cardinal Beetle | Eastern Bombardier Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pyrochroa coccinea | Brachinus explodens |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Pyrochroidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 14-18mm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Underground |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Mediterranean |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Cardinal Beetle
A striking flat beetle with a bright scarlet body and large black eyes. Larvae are predators under bark.
Did You Know?
Named for its bright cardinal-red color that matches the robes of Roman Catholic cardinals.
Eastern Bombardier Beetle
A bombardier beetle widespread across central and eastern Europe. It hunts small soil invertebrates at night.
Did You Know?
Its defensive spray is produced by mixing hydroquinone and hydrogen peroxide in a specialized reaction chamber.