Big Sand Tiger Beetle vs Hairy Sexton Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Big Sand Tiger Beetle Hairy Sexton Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Cicindela formosa Velleius dilatatus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Cicindelidae Staphylinidae
Size 14-18 mm 15-24 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Woodlands
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Big Sand Tiger Beetle

A large and colorful tiger beetle found in sandy habitats across North America. Its color varies from bright red to dark brown depending on region.

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Did You Know?

It can run so fast that it temporarily goes blind and must stop to re-orient before resuming its chase.

Hairy Sexton Rove Beetle

A large, broad rove beetle with flattened expanded elytra, uniquely associated with European hornet nests. It is one of the few rove beetles that lives as an inquiline in social wasp colonies.

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Did You Know?

This beetle has evolved tolerance to hornet stings and can live unharmed in active hornet nests that would be lethal to most other insects.