Atemeles Ant Guest Beetle vs Aulacopus Prionine

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Atemeles Ant Guest Beetle Aulacopus Prionine
Scientific Name Lomechusoides strumosus Aulacopus reticulatus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Staphylinidae Cerambycidae
Size 5-6 mm 30-55 mm
Habitat Woodlands Forests
Diet Parasites Wood Feeders
Regions Central Europe Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Atemeles Ant Guest Beetle

A parasitic rove beetle that lives in ant nests, switching between Formica and Myrmica host species seasonally. Its larvae are raised by ants alongside their own brood.

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Did You Know?

It migrates between two different ant species each year, overwintering with one and breeding with another.

Aulacopus Prionine

A flattened, reddish-brown prionine beetle with strongly reticulated elytra found in tropical Africa. It breeds in large fallen trunks of rainforest trees. Adults are nocturnal and powerful fliers attracted to lights.

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Did You Know?

The reticulate pattern on the elytra is so regular it appears almost machine-engraved.