Invertebrates
See our handy guide to critters found in local homes and our Central Coast Butterfly FAQ. Browse the insects and other terrestrial arthropods we’ve identified. Check out local marine invertebrates, particularly bivalve mollusks and intertidal organisms.
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Beetle
Hello!
Can you tell what type of beetle this is? Very tiny.
Kevin, Santa Barbara - August 4, 2025
Curator Response
Hi Kevin,
This is a Mediterranean Seed Bug, Xanthochilus saturnius, an introduced species from Europe. It was first found in California in 1994, and has since become quite abundant, especially in grassy fields where it feeds on seeds.
Sincerely,
Schlinger Chair and Curator of Entomology Alex Harman, Ph.D.
