Australian Water Scavenger Beetle vs Lesser House Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Water Scavenger Beetle Lesser House Fly
Scientific Name Sternolophus marginicollis Fannia canicularis
Order Coleoptera Diptera
Family Hydrophilidae Fanniidae
Size 10-14 mm 5-7 mm
Habitat Farmland Indoors
Diet Scavengers Scavengers
Regions Australia, Southeast Asia Worldwide
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Australian Water Scavenger Beetle

A medium-sized water scavenger beetle found throughout Australia and parts of Southeast Asia. It is attracted to lights at night and commonly flies between water bodies.

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Did You Know?

It can produce an audible stridulation by rubbing its abdomen against the elytra when handled.

Lesser House Fly

A small greyish fly often seen flying in circles beneath ceiling lights indoors. It breeds in decaying organic matter and is a secondary forensic indicator.

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Did You Know?

Males are well known for hovering in a fixed triangular flight pattern beneath indoor light fixtures.