Atemeles Ant Guest Beetle vs Fan-foot Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Atemeles Ant Guest Beetle | Fan-foot Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lomechusoides strumosus | Zanclognatha tarsipennalis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Erebidae |
| Size | 5-6 mm | 26-32 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasites | Herbivores |
| Regions | Central Europe | Europe |
| 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.
Did You Know?
It migrates between two different ant species each year, overwintering with one and breeding with another.
Fan-foot Moth
A subtle brown moth with fan-shaped palps and delicate wing markings. Found in woodland where dead leaves accumulate. Larvae feed on dead leaves on the woodland floor.
Did You Know?
The males have distinctive enlarged fan-shaped labial palps that give this moth its common name.