I have always found the descriptions of the surface granulation of Canthon chalcites to be a little confusing. I.e., C. chalcites has fine granules on its pronotum and coarse granules on its elytra (as compared to C. pilularius having coarse granules on both the pronotum and elytra). I guess the way I would say it in plainer English is that the pronotal surface of C. chalcites has numerous tightly packed granules (looks like ground glass), whereas the elytral surface background is smooth and opaque but with numerous (but clearly delineated) small bumps. I am not an expert and have never collected C. pilularius. There are lots of excellent photos of C. pilularius in the guide (such as ) that I think show that species having less contrast in the surface texture between the pronotum and elytra (and perhaps just more "bumpy" overall). I think that C. pilularius may also have an overall more southern distribution?