African Net-winged Beetle vs Ant Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Net-winged Beetle Ant Beetle
Scientific Name Lycus trabeatus Thanasimus formicarius
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Lycidae Cleridae
Size 15-30 mm 7-10mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Predators
Regions East Africa, Southern Africa Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

African Net-winged Beetle

A brightly orange-red beetle with distinctive net-like wing venation and broad expanded elytra. It is toxic and serves as a model for many mimicry complexes.

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Did You Know?

Several unrelated beetle and moth species mimic its bright warning coloration to gain protection from predators.

Ant Beetle

A brightly colored red and black bark beetle predator that mimics ants. It hunts bark beetles on pine trees.

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Did You Know?

An important natural enemy of bark beetles used in integrated pest management of conifer forests.