Metallic Leaf Beetle vs Melon Thrips

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Metallic Leaf Beetle Melon Thrips
Scientific Name Chrysolina polita Thrips palmi
Order Coleoptera Thysanoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Thripidae
Size 6-9 mm 1.0-1.3 mm
Habitat Underground Farmland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, Western Asia Asia, Oceania, North America, South America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Metallic Leaf Beetle

A medium-sized beetle with richly burnished copper-red to bronze elytra and a metallic green to blue pronotum. The contrast between thorax and elytra colors makes it easily recognizable.

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Did You Know?

This beetle is unusual among leaf beetles in being most active during autumn and winter, with adults sometimes seen walking on mild winter days.

Melon Thrips

A pale yellow thrips and serious pest of cucurbits and solanaceous crops. It is a quarantine pest in many countries.

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Did You Know?

Melon thrips is listed as a quarantine pest in the European Union due to its destructive potential.