African Soldier Beetle vs African Hide Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Soldier Beetle | African Hide Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cantharis africana | Trox sabulosus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Cantharidae | Trogidae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 7-11 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Predators | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Africa, Eastern Africa, Southern Africa | Europe, North Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
African Soldier Beetle
A soft-bodied soldier beetle from Sub-Saharan Africa with orange-brown elytra and a darker head region. Like other cantharids, it has flexible elytra and is an active predator of small insects on flowers.
Did You Know?
Soldier beetles are important pollinators in their own right, transferring pollen between flowers as they hunt for prey.
African Hide Beetle
A small, rough-textured beetle covered in soil particles and debris that provide excellent camouflage. Its elytra have rows of tubercles that trap dirt. It feeds on dried animal remains in advanced stages of decomposition.
Did You Know?
When disturbed, hide beetles play dead and are nearly impossible to spot due to the dirt encrusted on their bodies.