Rain Beetle Hunter vs Blue Hawker
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Rain Beetle Hunter | Blue Hawker |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Calosoma cancellatum | Aeshna caerulea |
| Order | Coleoptera | Odonata |
| Family | Carabidae | Aeshnidae |
| Size | 18-25 mm | 54-64mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | North America, from Canada to Mexico | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Rain Beetle Hunter
A medium to large caterpillar hunter with dark elytra marked by rows of rectangular pits giving a grid-like appearance. It is one of the most common Calosoma species across North American prairies.
Did You Know?
It emerges in massive numbers after rain events on the Great Plains, earning the nickname rain beetle, and can be found running across roads in huge aggregations.
Blue Hawker
A small hawker dragonfly with bright blue spots on males and yellow spots on females. It is restricted to high-altitude bogs and moorlands in northern latitudes. It tolerates very cold conditions.
Did You Know?
It breeds in some of the coldest and most inhospitable habitats of any European dragonfly, flying in near-freezing conditions.