Australian Large-headed Bee vs African Soldier Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Large-headed Bee African Soldier Beetle
Scientific Name Stenotritus greavesi Cantharis africana
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Stenotritidae Cantharidae
Size 12-16 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Nectar Feeders Predators
Regions Australia Africa, Eastern Africa, Southern Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Australian Large-headed Bee

A robust, fast-flying bee endemic to Australia with a disproportionately large head and powerful mandibles. It belongs to the most primitive extant family of bees.

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Did You Know?

Stenotritidae is the smallest bee family in the world, containing only 21 species all restricted to Australia.

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.

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Did You Know?

Soldier beetles are important pollinators in their own right, transferring pollen between flowers as they hunt for prey.