Atemeles Ant Guest Beetle vs Malagasy Trap-jaw Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Atemeles Ant Guest Beetle | Malagasy Trap-jaw Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lomechusoides strumosus | Mystrium oberthueri |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Amblyoponidae |
| Size | 5-6 mm | 4-7 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasites | Omnivores |
| Regions | Central Europe | Madagascar |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Data Deficient |
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.
Malagasy Trap-jaw Ant
A pale yellow to amber ant with elongated mandibles that can snap shut at extreme speeds. It is closely related to M. camillae and shares the Dracula ant feeding behavior.
Did You Know?
Like other Dracula ants, workers feed by non-destructively puncturing larval skin and drinking hemolymph, a practice unique among ants.