Ant-Nest Hister Beetle vs Campodea Bristletail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ant-Nest Hister Beetle Campodea Bristletail
Scientific Name Hetaerius ferrugineus Campodea fragilis
Order Coleoptera Diplura
Family Histeridae Campodeidae
Size 1.5-2.5 mm 3-6 mm
Habitat Woodlands Caves
Diet Detritivores Detritivores
Regions Europe, North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Ant-Nest Hister Beetle

A tiny, reddish-brown hister beetle that lives exclusively inside ant nests. It is tolerated by its ant hosts and feeds on detritus and small arthropods.

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Did You Know?

It produces appeasement chemicals from thoracic glands that prevent ants from attacking it inside the colony.

Campodea Bristletail

A common European dipluran found in soil, leaf litter, and caves. It has long multi-segmented cerci and delicate white body.

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Did You Know?

It can regenerate lost cerci and antennae through successive molts.